Matt Farniok Bio
Matt Farniok is an American professional football center who is active in the United Football League (UFL). After a five-season professional journey that began in the National Football League, he currently plays for the Columbus Aviators, the franchise that selected him in the 2026 UFL draft. Standing 6 ft 5 in tall, Farniok has built his reputation on positional versatility across the offensive line, having lined up at right tackle, right guard, left guard, and center during his career.
A native of South Dakota, Farniok came up through the Cornhuskers program at the University of Nebraska before entering the professional ranks with the Dallas Cowboys in 2021. He is the brother of three other Division I football players, a family background that helped shape his path into the sport.
Early Life and Background
Matt Farniok was born on September 26, 1997, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He grew up in the same city and attended Washington High School, where he developed into one of the top offensive line prospects in the state. Farniok became a starter on the offensive line during his sophomore year, signaling early promise as a trench player.
As a junior, he earned Class 11AAA All-state honors and was named to the Sioux Falls Argus Leader’s Elite 45 team. In his senior season of 2015, Farniok helped lead Washington to a state championship and was recognized as the South Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year. He also received first-team Parade All-American recognition, along with repeat Class 11AAA All-state and Elite 45 honors. Rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com, Farniok committed to the University of Nebraska on January 27, 2016.
Path to American Football
Farniok’s progression from high school starter to NFL draft pick reflected steady development and a willingness to play multiple positions. His Parade All-American and Gatorade Player of the Year awards in South Dakota established him as a priority recruit, and his commitment to Nebraska set the stage for a five-year college career with the Cornhuskers.
At Nebraska, Farniok appeared in 7 games with 4 starts as a redshirt freshman, lining up at both right tackle and right guard. By his sophomore season he was the full-time starter at right tackle, blocking for an offense that averaged 456.2 yards per game. His junior year saw him start all 12 games at right tackle, and as a senior in 2020 he became one of only 13 two-time captains in program history while starting all 8 games of the COVID-shortened season.
Matt Farniok Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Farniok was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round, 238th overall, of the 2021 NFL draft. He signed a four-year rookie contract on May 13, 2021, and as a rookie appeared in 12 games, working primarily as a blocker on special teams in kick protection. He was declared inactive for the Cowboys’ Wild Card playoff game that postseason.
In 2022, Farniok appeared in 7 games and made 2 starts at left guard in place of an injured Connor McGovern. He also contributed as a backup guard and center and even served as a blocking fullback in goal-line situations. His offensive snaps decreased after veteran Jason Peters was promoted to the active roster in Week 3, and a torn hamstring suffered while blocking on an extra point attempt against the Detroit Lions landed him on injured reserve on October 26, 2022.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2021–2022)
Farniok’s Cowboys tenure covered two seasons and 19 total regular-season games, with 2 starts. His 2021 work on special teams established him as a dependable depth piece, while his 2022 starts at left guard showed his ability to step into a starting role when called upon. By the 2023 preseason, however, he had fallen behind rookies Asim Richards and T. J. Bass on the depth chart, and he was waived on August 29, 2023.
Practice Squad Stints (2023–2024)
On September 7, 2023, Farniok was signed to the practice squad of the Chicago Bears, where he remained until his release on November 17, 2023. He then joined the Detroit Lions’ practice squad on December 5, 2023, was released on January 5, 2024, and re-signed on January 23 before signing a reserve/future contract one week later. Farniok was waived by the Lions on July 24, 2024.
United Football League (2025–Present)
On December 10, 2024, Farniok signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL, where he was tried at guard before his release on March 20, 2025. That same day, he was claimed by the Arlington Renegades, who moved him to offensive tackle. He appeared in 10 games for the Renegades, making 6 starts at right tackle.
On January 13, 2026, Farniok was selected by the Columbus Aviators in the 2026 UFL draft, where he continues his professional career as a center.
Notable Events and Milestones
Farniok’s most notable professional milestone remains his selection in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Among his standout moments was starting two games at left guard in place of an injured Connor McGovern during the 2022 season and being named one of only 13 two-time captains in Nebraska football history as a senior in 2020.
Matt Farniok Career Wins
Farniok’s professional career has been defined more by durability, versatility, and depth contributions than by headline statistical totals. Across his NFL stops with the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, and Detroit Lions, he appeared in 19 regular-season games with 2 starts, according to career statistics recorded through 2025.
United Football League Highlights
In the UFL, Farniok appeared in 10 games for the Arlington Renegades in 2025, making 6 starts at right tackle after being converted from guard. His performance with the Renegades led to his selection by the Columbus Aviators in the 2026 UFL draft.
Other Wins and Performances
Farniok helped lead Washington High School in Sioux Falls to a state championship during his senior season in 2015, the most prominent team success of his career to date.
Matt Farniok Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Farniok comes from a football family. He has three brothers, Derek, Tom, and Will, all of whom played college football at the NCAA Division I level.
Personal Life
Matt Farniok was born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He has continued his professional career in professional football leagues, with the support and example of his three Division I football-playing brothers shaping his path in the sport.
2025 Season Performance
Matt Farniok’s 2025 season began with a December 2024 signing to the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL, where he was tried at guard before being released on March 20, 2025. Later that same day, he was claimed off waivers by the Arlington Renegades, who quickly converted him to offensive tackle to address a need on their offensive line.
With the Renegades, Farniok appeared in 10 games and started 6 at right tackle, providing dependable play and positional flexibility. The strong showing in Arlington positioned him as a sought-after trench piece in the spring league’s player movement cycle.
That momentum carried into January 2026, when Farniok was selected by the Columbus Aviators in the 2026 UFL draft, ensuring he would remain in the UFL for the coming season. His 2025 campaign demonstrated the kind of cross-positional adaptability that has defined his professional career to this point.