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). He previously played for the Carolina Panthers after being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing around 120 kilograms, he is known for his length and pass-rushing ability on the edge.
Before reaching the NFL, Gross-Matos starred at Penn State, where he developed into one of the top defensive ends in college football. His combination of size, athleticism, and production helped him earn All-Big Ten honors and positioned him as a Day 2 draft prospect.
Early Life and Background
Yetur Akkub Gross-Matos was born on February 26, 1998, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He later moved to Fredericksburg, Virginia, where he was raised. His early years were marked by significant personal loss, including the death of his biological father in a boating accident when he was two years old, and the death of his brother from a lightning strike when he was ten. These experiences shaped his resilience and character.
Gross-Matos attended Chancellor High School in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, where he emerged as a promising defensive talent. During his high school career, he recorded 37 sacks, drawing attention from college recruiters. His performance on the field earned him a scholarship to continue his football career at the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Coming out of high school as a highly recruited defensive end, Gross-Matos committed to Pennsylvania State University to play college football. His decision to join the Penn State Nittany Lions gave him the platform to develop against top-tier competition in the Big Ten Conference.
His path to becoming a professional defensive end began taking shape during his freshman season in 2017, when he appeared in all 13 games and showed flashes of his pass-rushing potential. As a sophomore in 2018, he started all 13 games and recorded 54 tackles with eight sacks, establishing himself as a cornerstone of the Nittany Lions defense and setting the stage for his draft year.
Yetur Gross-Matos Career
Early Career (2017-2019)
During his freshman year at Penn State in 2017, Gross-Matos played in all 13 games and recorded 17 tackles with 1.5 sacks. His role expanded in 2018 when he became a full-time starter, finishing the season with 54 tackles and eight sacks. That performance earned him First-team All-Big Ten honors and cemented his status as one of the top defensive ends in the conference.
In his junior season of 2019, Gross-Matos continued his upward trajectory with 14 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. His combination of size, power, and quickness made him a difficult matchup for opposing offensive tackles. After his junior campaign, he decided to forgo his senior year and declared for the 2020 NFL draft, where he was projected as a high pick.
NFL Breakthrough with Carolina Panthers (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 that year behind Chase Young. He joined a Panthers defense looking to add youth and pass-rushing depth to its front seven.
In his rookie season, Gross-Matos recorded his first career sack in Week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals, a strip sack on quarterback Kyler Murray that was recovered by Carolina during a 31-21 win. A midseason ankle injury briefly placed him on injured reserve, but he returned later in the year. He continued developing as a rotational pass rusher, and in 2023, he appeared in 12 games, recording 4.5 sacks and 36 tackles before being placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury in October.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2024-Present)
On March 14, 2024, Gross-Matos signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. The move gave him an opportunity to compete for a larger role on a defense known for its aggressive front four and complex blitz packages.
During the 2024 season, Gross-Matos delivered what was arguably the best performance of his career on December 8 against the Chicago Bears, recording four tackles and three sacks. His dominant showing earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors and showcased his continued growth as a pass rusher. In 2025, a hip injury placed him on injured reserve in November, but he was activated in December and returned to contribute to the 49ers defensive rotation.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Gross-Matos’s career came on December 8, 2024, when he recorded three sacks against the Chicago Bears, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week. His first career strip sack on Kyler Murray in 2020 also stands out as an early sign of his disruptive ability. Being named First-team All-Big Ten in both 2018 and 2019 further underscores his consistency at the college level.
Yetur Gross-Matos Career Wins
While defensive end statistics are not measured in traditional wins, Gross-Matos has accumulated notable individual achievements across his college and professional career. His pass-rushing production, including multiple multi-sack games at the NFL level, has established him as a reliable contributor on the defensive line.
College and Professional Highlights
At Penn State, Gross-Matos earned First-team All-Big Ten honors in both 2018 and 2019, finishing his college career with 9.5 sacks in his final season. In the NFL, his most celebrated performance came in December 2024 against the Bears, when he recorded three sacks. He has consistently contributed as a rotational pass rusher for both the Panthers and 49ers.
Yetur Gross-Matos Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Yetur Akkub Gross-Matos experienced significant personal loss during his childhood, including the death of his biological father in a boating accident when he was two years old and the death of his brother from a lightning strike when he was ten. These early challenges helped shape his determination and perspective on life and football.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season brought both challenges and opportunities for Gross-Matos with the San Francisco 49ers. He was a key part of the team’s defensive line rotation before a hip injury in November forced him onto injured reserve. His activation on December 22, 2025, allowed him to rejoin the team for the final stretch of the season.
Despite the injury setback, Gross-Matos remained a productive contributor when healthy, continuing to build on the momentum from his standout 2024 campaign. His length and pass-rushing ability made him a valuable piece of the 49ers’ defensive scheme as they competed in the NFC playoff picture.