Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

UNLV

20 Matt Vinal

  • Defensive back
  • Grade: Senior
  • Height: 6′2″
  • Weight: 200 lbs
UNLV: An athletic defensive back who saw a lot of time last fall after transferring in from junior college ... Is listed No. 2 behind Peni Vea at the strong safety spot after spring practice ... Was JC teammates with current Rebel receiver Aaron Criswell and incoming RB George Naufahu ... One of 18 UNLV football players who earned a spot on the 2013 Academic All-Mountain West team ... Last name is pronounced "vin-YALL"

2013: Earned his first letter as a Rebel by playing in all 13 games ... Totaled 31 tackles while appearing on defense and on special teams.

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Played one season at the College of San Mateo located in San Mateo, CA ... Named First Team All Nor-Cal in only season at CSM ... Led the Bulldogs with four interceptions and ranked second on the team with 65 total tackles ... Also ran track at CSM.

CAL POLY: Started collegiate career at the FCS school ... Was a member of the team during the 2011 season but did not record any statistics ... Redshirted freshman year in 2010.

HIGH SCHOOL: A 2010 graduate of Junipero Serra HS in San Mateo, CA ... Earned two letters after lining up at safety, wide receiver and quarterback for the Padres under coach Patrick Walsh ... Earned West Catholic Athletic League co-defensive back of the year honors as a senior ... Earned first team all-league honors after recording 117 tackles (64 solo), 4.5 sacks, one interception and six pass breakups ... Finished junior season with 96 tackles and one interception ... Also was a two-year letterwinner in basketball and track where he competed in the long jump and triple jump.

PERSONAL: Matthew Raymond Viñal was born Sept. 25, 1991, in Santa Clara, CA ... Son of Bob and Trudy Viñal ... Has two sisters, Therese and Michelle ... Therese played volleyball at Colorado ... Majoring in communications.