ELF: Wroclaw Panthers sign former Jackson State & Temple QB Matthew Vitale

| American Football | 05/29/2023

The Wroclaw Panthers of the European League of Football have found their quarterback with just more than a week to go before kickoff. The Panthers announced the signing of Matthew Vitale as their starter after releasing quarterback Nik Rango after only a week of training camp in mid-May.

Vitale was an easy pick-up logistically for the Panthers as he was already in Poland playing for the Wrocławskie Katy Jaguars of the top Polish domestic league, leading them to a 3-2 record. Prior to playing his first international action earlier this year, the 5’11 180-pound passer spent time as a walk on at three different DI universities.

The New Jersey native began his collegiate career as a walk on at West Virginia University (NCAA DI FBS) after finishing a high school career where he threw for 4,413 yards and 48 touchdowns with only 14 interceptions.

After one season with the Mountaineers, he transferred to Diablo Valley Community College in Pleasant Hill, California in 2017. There is Vitale quickly earned the starting role making the most of the opportunity throwing for 2,187 yards, 22 touchdowns, and only four interceptions while completing 62% of his passes.

Vitale went on to spend the 2018, 2019, and 2020 seasons with the Temple Owls (NCAA DI FBS) as a walk on quarterback, making no appearances.

After a year off in 2021, Vitale returned to the field playing for head coach Deion Sanders and the Jackson State Tigers (NCAA DI FCS) as they won the SWAC Championship. As a backup behind Shedeur Sanders, Vitale made two appearances in 2022 and recorded no stats.

via @Mattyfootball7 Twitter

Vitale now leads the Panthers into week one as they face off against the Hamburg Sea Devils in their 2023 debut. The Wroclaw and Sea Devils matchup is one of seven matchups that European League of Football has planned to kick off the 2023 season.

Check out Matthew Vitale’s Juco highlights here

Alex is a former NCAA and semi-pro American football player who is now located in London, where he works in digital marketing. His goal in writing for AFI is to stay involved with the game that has given him so much. Alex enjoys covering leagues and