Matthews signs with the University of Kansas

Matthews signs with the University of Kansas
Adam Gore/LetsGoICC.com

FULTON, MS – Sophomore running back Octavious Matthews signed a national letter of intent to continue his football career at the University of Kansas on Wednesday.

Matthews finished his career at ICC with 1,453 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 184 carries to go along with 367 yards and five touchdowns on 28 receptions.

VIDEO: Matthews talks about signing with Kansas

As a freshman, he rushed for 808 yards and four touchdowns on 94 carries and caught 13 passed for 147 yards and two touchdowns while returning three kickoffs for 111 yards in 10 games. As a sophomore, Matthews rushed for 645 yards and five touchdowns on 90 carries while hauling in 15 catches for 220 yards and three scores.

Matthews is rated as the ninth-best junior college recruit in the country, according to Scout.com and the nation's top JUCO running back according to 247Sports. The four-star running back received offers from Auburn, Louisville, Mississippi State, Purdue, and UAB before finding a home with the Jayhawks.

He will join former Indian quarterback Peyton Bender (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) on the Jayhawks' roster next season. Kansas finished 2-10 with a 1-8 record inside Big 12 play. The Jayhawks are coached by David Beaty, who will be entering his third season as head coach next season.

Matthews joins 11 other Indians that have signed to continue their careers next season: Abraham Austin (Northeastern State); Lee Autry (Mississippi State); Peyton Bender (Kansas); Dorian Gaston (Lamar); Isaiah Howard (Lamar); Deon Knox (Arkansas-Monticello); Jadarius Little (Jackson State); Brennon McCormick (Mississippi College); DqMarcus Shaw (East Carolina); Matthew Stewart (Alcorn State); and Kenney Wooten (Murray State).

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