From Ghana to the gridiron

By Matt Wright ’23 on October 5, 2023

Mathias Adjingbaruk took the road less traveled by most Division I student-athletes. Those who know him best say that’s what makes him so special.

Born in Ghana, far from the United States’ profound love for what the world calls American football, Adjingbaruk was showcasing his abilities on the rugby pitch.

Toward the end of middle school, his father moved the family to the U.S. to serve as a diplomat for Ghana. It was then he got a taste of the game he now excels at.

“My math teacher was the high school assistant head coach,” he says. “He would always pull up highlights at the end of class. That introduced me to the game. He recruited me into playing football in high school.”

On the field, Adjingbaruk is an imposing presence. The 6’3,” 315-pound Tiger enters his sophomore season as the starting left guard after starting seven games last season.

Upon taking over as the offensive line coach in the off-season, Alex Kolt couldn’t believe Adjingbaruk was a walk-on after watching last season’s film. It was obvious Adjingbaruk loved the contact and physicality of the game.

Kolt knew his guard wouldn’t be without a scholarship for much longer.

“One of the first things we did in January when we got back in the office was put him on full scholarship to reward him for that hard work,” Kolt says.

Off the field, Adjingbaruk is known more for his soft-spoken, laid-back demeanor. Considered by many as a gentle giant, his personality is embraced by his teammates.

“Total sweetheart off the field,” says Dane Roper, assistant to the offensive line coach and former Tiger offensive lineman. “He would show me some of his music. It was really fun to hear different sounds, different voices outside of the States from what I am used to.”

Those around him say growing up in another culture and bringing a new perspective only makes their team stronger.

The communications major speaks three languages and says his professors at TU have helped him become a more effective speaker when talking with the team. 

Beyond his approachability and infectious personality, his coaches are impressed with how quickly he picked up the sport despite the late start.

“He has an exceptionally high football IQ,” Kolt says. “His ability to process information quickly and make adjustments is really impressive. I’ve been doing this for quite a while, and I would say he’s one of the best I’ve been fortunate enough to coach.”

His teammates say part of this is due to his passion for the game and his dedication to his craft. Even as a sophomore, he has already taken on a leadership position.

“He loves sitting there watching film, seeing what he did right, seeing what he did wrong,” says Roper. “He talks with the younger guys. He’s a mentor to them.”

A scholarship isn’t the only achievement he earned in 2023. Earlier this year Adjingbaruk became a U.S. citizen. He says he is grateful for the opportunities he has received since arriving in the U.S. and on campus.

Despite his early success, Adjingbaruk’s story has not been fully written. He wants to be the best player and student he can be, earn a degree and achieve what fellow Ghanaians Ezekiel Ansah and Charlie Peprah did: reach the NFL.

It is not lost on him that others want to make the same journey he has. His advice for them is to embrace hard work.

“Keep striving for greatness,” Adjingbaruk says. “There is never a time when you should let up. Anything you want to do, whether it’s in the classroom or on the field, give 100% and just keep going day by day.”

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