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.
Keep calm, QB1 on the board! 🏈 Our roster is complete – welcome Matthew Vitale (@Mattyfootball7), the quarterback of Panthers Wrocław for the 2023 season! 🔥🔥🔥 #ThePackX
🇵🇱 https://t.co/cbY40V5oi0
🇩🇪 https://t.co/jOM22ZntrF
🇺🇸 https://t.co/K8HVMh6ueM pic.twitter.com/gpwv1xhJ6k— Panthers Wrocław (@pantherswroclaw) May 25, 2023
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.
— Matthew Ricciardi-Vitale (@Mattyfootball7) April 10, 2021
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
