This article is part of a series previewing the Razorbacks’ 2020 football roster.
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Razorback Career
After enrolling early at the University of Arkansas, Mataio Soli was the only true freshman to make the two-deep depth chart on the defensive line in week one against Portland State in 2019. Playing behind senior Gabe Richardson, he started the season with 30 snaps in game one, posting a PFF grade of 58.4, and finished the season eighth on the team with 497 on snaps defense and an average defensive grade of 58.6.
Due to Dorian Gerald's sudden season-ending injury, Soli was thrust into a starting job despite having broken his right hand in the season opener. The former 4-star powered through nearly the entire season with a club on his hand and while it's hard to say how much that impacted his ability to get after the quarterback, he finished the season with just 19 tackles, 10 solo, 1.5 for a loss, seven run stops and six quarterback hurries. Soli was an unbelievable pass rusher in high school but he couldn't make that translate to the SEC in year one.
Soli's pressure grades ranged from 65 to 52 in every game except the Ole Miss game where he shined with grades in the upper 70s across the board. He had his worst game to finish the season against Missouri, posting a team-low 36 with two missed tackles in 41 snaps.
2020 Expectations
After starting almost every game as a true freshman at defensive end for Arkansas, most expect Mataio Soli to hold on to his starting role, but competition is coming for him and he'll need to make some big strides heading in to year two on the Hill.
Despite needing to gain weight, Soli checked in at 235 this spring. Sam Pittman did give him a shoutout for his skill and athleticism after winter conditioning but noted weight is still an area for improvement. Despite not being much heavier, Soli's body looks transformed since he enrolled at Arkansas, going from lean and soft to lean and well-defined.
Soli will be competing with senior Dorian Gerald, who has his final opportunity to shine, Eric Gregory, Zach Williams, and a slew of newcomers like gigantic former JUCO lineman Julius Coates, Eric Thomas and Jashaud Stewart.
Recruiting Flashback
Mataio Soli, one of two legacy defensive ends for Arkansas in the 2019 class, committed to the Hogs in June after an official visit. It was the same day as Shamar Nash's commitment and the two go the ball rolling for a hot summer of commits. Despite major interest from programs with some better recent history like Florida and Auburn, Soli chose to follow in his father's footsteps and become a Razorback. He was one of the 13 4-stars in Chad Morris's best class and ranked No.36 coming out of Georgia.
