LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Senior offensive lineman Matt Waletzko has been selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round (155th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft from Las Vegas on Saturday.
Waletzko becomes the first Fighting Hawk drafted since former wide receiver Kenny Golladay was chosen by the Detroit Lions in the third round (96th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. The Cold Spring, Minn., native is the first four-year player and offensive lineman selected since Chris Kuper in the fifth round in 2006 by the Denver Broncos.
In total, Waletzko is the 26th UND product to be drafted to the league and becomes the fourth North Dakota player to sit on an active NFL roster, joining Kuper (offensive line coach, Minnesota Vikings), Golladay (New York Giants) and Travis Toivonen (New York Giants).
Waletzko started in 10 of UND’s 11 games in 2021, missing the final contest due to an injury suffered in the penultimate tilt. When he was on the field, he anchored an offensive line that topped the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in sacks allowed (3) and led the Missouri Valley Conference (MVFC) in fewest negative plays allowed (5).
His standout senior season helped Waletzko earn All-MVFC First Team honors, All-America status from five-different publications and invitations to the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine.
At the start of the 2021 season, Waletzko came rushing out of the gates and was named the MVFC Offensive Lineman of the Week on Sept. 7, following UND’s 35-14 victory at Idaho State. Against the Bengals, Waletzko and his counterparts on the offensive line did not allow Tommy Schuster to be sacked as he finished the contest with a 181.5 quarterback rating. North Dakota recorded a 33:29 time of possession advantage and the offensive line paved the way for Otis Weah’s third career 100-yard game and three touchdowns, the most by a UND back since Brady Olivera in 2018. In 63 plays against Idaho State, North Dakota averaged 5.8 yards per play.
After a sensational junior season, Waletzko was listed high on many post-season watchlists coming into 2021, being one of seven offensive lineman and one of 43 total offensive tackles listed to the 2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Watchlist. He also was on the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl Watchlist and named a team captain for the 2021 season.
The Cold Spring, Minn., native had a breakout junior year after returning from a season-ending injury his sophomore season to start all seven games at left tackle during the 2020-21 season. Waletzko helped anchor the UND offensive line that led the nation with the fewest number of negative plays and only allowed two sacks the entire season. At the conclusion of 2020-21, Waletzko was named All-MVFC Second Team and named a 2020-21 FCS Stats Perform FCS All-American.
In the classroom, Waletzko excelled as well, being named to the 2022 National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of Fame Honor Society, earning MVFC President’s Council Academic Excellence accolades last season and being named a first-team member twice to the MVFC All-Academic Team.
