Matt Seybert: Dreams It and Achieves It

Senior tight end Matt Seybert 's collegiate career started off with a different set of challenges as he questioned what was the best choice for his future.

With a scholarship at the University of Buffalo and a dream of playing college football at an elite level, he was forced to face the tough decision to come to Michigan State as a walk-on or stay where he was.

"For me it was big because I had sacrificed the full scholarship I was offered from Buffalo. It was the risk that I took that ended up paying off in the long run that I wasn't sure would, but it felt amazing to get that offer," Seybert said. "When it happened it was probably in the top three best days of my life. With the whole process, you've just got you enjoy the road to it and can't take it for granted because it's the journey you have to embrace and I'm so thankful."

Although a scholarship wasn't presented along with his offer to come play at Michigan State, the Spartan Family provided all the qualities Seybert was looking for in a school to call home.

"Michigan State was always the school you wanted to watch growing up in Michigan. It was the school we watched in Traverse City with the Bulloughs," Seybert explained. "It was always the goal and the dream that you wanted to be at. Michigan State's always been a top tier program that I've wanted to play for which separated it from all the other schools and to play in the Big Ten was worth the risk to come here to experience all of that."

Just like all Michigan kids, you grow up a Spartan or a Wolverine, and for Seybert, he was dressed in Green and White from day one.

So for the Traverse City native, the opportunity to play for Michigan State and head coach Mark Dantonio was nothing short of a dream come true.

"You hear it all the time, but it's just a dream come true. It's everything that imagined; I never knew if it would happen and now that it's coming to an end it's surreal and everything I ever wanted. As far as being here, it's a blessing," Seybert explained. "My most favorite thing has to be being close to home and where my family can come to every game."

Being a member of the Spartan family gave him a new set of role models in his life in head coach Mark Dantonio and tight ends coach Mark Staten, who were their beside him every step of his journey.

"Coach Staten and I have had a lot of individual, long talks with one another about persistence and the never quit, never die attitude. One thing I'll never forget is the one time he gave me a long poem after I was super down one day. I have it up in my apartment right now, and I'll probably keep it forever because it talked about never giving up and he's given me so much confidence," Seybert said.

That confidence was solidified when Seybert was rewarded with a scholarship.

As his final practices and final games wind down, Seybert begins to reflect on his time in East Lansing and is taking advantage of ever last moment.

"I'm trying to cherish every single day. It's going by so fast and it makes practices more enjoyable when you realize there are not that many left. I really go out there and try to have fun every day because I know it's going to be down soon," Seybert said. "It stinks to think about that, but I've had the time of my life this season and I wouldn't trade it for anything."

Of his four years in the Green and White, there are a handful of memories Seybert says will stick with him for the rest of his life.

"Penn State last year, when we were just having a party out on the field. I'll never forget that, it was just one of the most fun times I've had during a game," Seybert said. "Next would probably be the first touchdown I got at Northwestern because I remember all the hard work that came out of me. Lastly, just being with my guys and celebrating with them all the time."

Between the position's changes, first touchdown and numerous accolades, Seybert's career as a Spartan has been everything he dreamed of as a child.

With everything he's achieved, Seybert offered up advice that he would give to his younger self.

"I would say just keep going. Just keep dreaming because you're going to achieve it and a lot of people lose sight of their dreams because they think it becomes unrealistic and start listening to what others say. Just listen to your own voice then it will work out," Seybert said.

Of all the opportunities Seybert has been given him his career, the one he was given to share whatever he would like about himself, he instead used to thank all those who helped him along his journey.

"Just a thank you to all the fans that have given me an endless amount of support and who have shown me a lot of love. Thank you to all those inside the program who have helped me along the way," Seybert said. "There are so many people, and they know who they are, who have helped me from day one. I'm just thankful for everyone who has had a positive impact on me and I'm never going to forget it."

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