Manorville’s Matt Goncalves to play for the Colts

Footballer Matt Goncalves was born and raised in Manorville and is a 2019 graduate of Eastport-South Manor High School. Post-graduation, Goncalves attended University of Pittsburgh and played offensive tackle for the Panthers. Now the Manorville native has taken his talents to Indiana as he dons the blue and white for the Indianapolis Colts.

The Colts drafted Goncalves in April when they selected the burly o-lineman as the 15th pick of the third round and the 79th overall selectee in the 2024 NFL draft. The gritty and dogged blocker out of University of Pittsburgh is 6 feet, six inches tall and weighs 317 pounds. The 23-year-old lineman reported to training camp in Westfield, Ind., on July 24, and has impressed his coaches at practice.

Colts scout Chad Henry has esteemed Goncalves a nickname as “The Blueprint” due to him being the blueprint as to just what the Colts are looking for in a tough, smart, and hard-nosed offensive lineman.

A tackle by trade, playing left and right tackle at Pittsburgh, the Colts coaching staff believe he can slide over to play guard. The Manorville native made his debut in a preseason game on a Sunday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Colts fell to the Denver Broncos 34-30 in the matinee. Goncalves entered the game during the Colts’ third drive of the afternoon and contributed while playing 33 offensive snaps (63 percent of snaps) at right guard and right tackle and with just inside two minutes to go till halftime, Goncalves made a gritty block in front of the end zone to allow running back Evan Hull to score on a goal-line plunge for Indy’s first score of the day.

In week two of the preseason, the Colts hosted and defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 21-13. Goncalves received the start in the evening contest at Lucas Oil Stadium. Lining up at right guard, Goncalves and the rest of the Colts o-line congested the Arizona defense, freeing up a hole for running back Tyler Goodson, who dashed 8 yards to the end zone to conclude the scoring drive.

On 30 pass-blocking snaps, the Long Islander surrendered just two quarterback pressures and did not allow a sack or a quarterback hit. Their final exhibition tune-up was at the Cincinnati Bengals on Aug. 22.

Indianapolis will kick off the regular season hosting the Houston Texans on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 1 p.m., while Goncalves will encapsulate his name in the NFL record books to begin his NFL career.