Yetur Gross-Matos Bio
Yetur Akkub Gross-Matos is an American professional football defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and listed at 265 pounds, he plays the edge position and contributes as both a pass rusher and run defender. Gross-Matos played college football at Penn State before being selected by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft. After four seasons with Carolina, he signed with the 49ers in March 2024 and continues to play at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Yetur Akkub Gross-Matos was born on February 26, 1998, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He grew up in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where he attended Chancellor High School in nearby Spotsylvania County. At a young age, he experienced profound personal loss when his biological father died in a boating accident while attempting to rescue him from drowning. Tragedy struck the family again when he was ten years old, when his brother died after being struck by lightning during a baseball game.
Despite these hardships, Gross-Matos channeled his energy into athletics and emerged as a dominant high school defender. During his prep career at Chancellor High School, he recorded 37 sacks, drawing attention from college scouts across the country. His combination of size, speed, and finishing ability made him one of the more sought-after defensive end prospects in his recruiting class.
Path to American Football
Gross-Matos committed to Pennsylvania State University to play college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions. He arrived in State College as a highly regarded recruit and joined a defensive line room with a strong development tradition. His size, length, and athleticism gave him a foundation to grow into a professional pass rusher.
As a true freshman in 2017, Gross-Matos played in all 13 games and produced 17 tackles with 1.5 sacks, getting his first taste of major college action. As a sophomore in 2018, he broke out by starting all 13 games and finishing with 54 tackles and eight sacks, earning First-team All-Big Ten honors. After a junior campaign that included 14 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks, he elected to forgo his senior season and enter the 2020 NFL draft.
Yetur Gross-Matos Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Gross-Matos began his college career as a rotational defensive end and steadily increased his production each season. His development accelerated under the Penn State coaching staff, and he became a focal point of the Nittany Lions defense by his sophomore year. The eight-sack season in 2018 established him as one of the top pass rushers in the Big Ten Conference.
His junior year produced 9.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss, reinforcing his status as a premium NFL prospect. Following the 2019 season, he declared for the 2020 NFL draft and was widely projected as a Day 1 or Day 2 selection. He concluded his college career as a two-time First-team All-Big Ten selection.
Carolina Panthers Era (2020–2023)
Gross-Matos was selected by the Carolina Panthers with the 38th overall pick in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft, making him the second defensive end taken behind Chase Young. He joined a Panthers defense in transition and quickly carved out a role as a rotational edge rusher. In Week 4 of his rookie season against the Arizona Cardinals, he recorded his first career sack, a strip-sack on quarterback Kyler Murray that was recovered by Carolina in a 31–21 win.
His rookie year was interrupted by an ankle injury in Week 5, which placed him on injured reserve on October 16, 2020. He returned to action in Week 9 after being activated on November 7, and later dealt with a stint on the reserve/COVID-19 list in late November before being activated in December. Over his four seasons with the Panthers, he developed into a steady contributor along the defensive front.
In 2023, Gross-Matos dealt with a hamstring injury that landed him on injured reserve on October 24, though he was activated on December 2. He appeared in 12 games that season and finished with 4.5 sacks and 36 tackles, providing consistent pressure off the edge. His time in Carolina ended following the 2023 season, leaving him with a body of work that included steady sack production and run-defense reliability.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2024–Present)
On March 14, 2024, Gross-Matos signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers, joining one of the most respected defensive organizations in the NFL. He integrated into the 49ers defensive line rotation and contributed on both early downs and passing situations. His tenure with the team has included stretches of impactful play and continued growth as a pass rusher.
On December 8, 2024, Gross-Matos delivered arguably the best game of his career against the Chicago Bears, recording four tackles and three sacks. His dominant performance earned him the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award and showcased the ceiling of his game at the NFL level. He was activated from injured reserve on November 16 during the 2024 season and continued to feature in the defensive game plan.
On November 1, 2025, Gross-Matos was placed on injured reserve due to a hip injury, pausing his momentum midway through the campaign. He was activated from injured reserve on December 22, ahead of the 49ers Week 16 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, signaling his return to action late in the year.
Driving Style and Strengths
Gross-Matos is a long, athletic edge rusher who combines length and power at 6 feet 5 inches to disrupt passing lanes. He uses his frame effectively to set the edge against the run while also flashing the quickness needed to convert speed to power as a pass rusher. His ability to contribute across all three downs makes him a valuable piece of a multiple-front defense.
Notable Events and Milestones
His three-sack performance against the Chicago Bears in December 2024 stands as the signature game of his professional career to date. That outing also produced his first NFC Defensive Player of the Week recognition. His first career strip-sack of Kyler Murray during his rookie season remains one of the early defining moments of his NFL journey.
Yetur Gross-Matos Career Wins
Yetur Gross-Matos has built a professional resume defined more by statistical production and team contributions than by championship victories. His career highlights include a three-sack NFC Defensive Player of the Week performance and steady sack totals across multiple seasons.
NFL Highlights
Through the 2025 season, Gross-Matos has recorded 169 total tackles, 17 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, and 2 pass deflections in his NFL career. His first career sack came against Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals in 2020. His most recent standout performance came against the Chicago Bears in December 2024.
Other Wins and Performances
Gross-Matos earned First-team All-Big Ten honors in both 2018 and 2019, capping a decorated college career at Penn State. His high school production of 37 sacks at Chancellor High School laid the groundwork for his rise to the professional level.
Yetur Gross-Matos Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Gross-Matos experienced significant loss during his childhood, including the death of his biological father in a boating accident when Yetur was two years old. He later lost his brother at age ten in a lightning strike during a baseball game.
Personal Life
Yetur Akkub Gross-Matos has continued his professional football career in California after signing with the San Francisco 49ers in 2024. Public details about his personal relationships and family life remain limited in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season placed Gross-Matos within the San Francisco 49ers defensive rotation as he worked to build on his strong finish to 2024. His early-season form was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on November 1 due to a hip injury, removing him from the lineup for a stretch of games. The 49ers defense continued to rely on its depth across the defensive line during his absence.
On December 22, Gross-Matos was activated from injured reserve ahead of the team Week 16 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, returning him to the active roster for the final stretch of the regular season. His return provided a boost to the defensive front as the team pushed toward the postseason. With multiple years still remaining on his contract, he remains part of the long-term plan for the 49ers defense.
