#24

Ofa Mataele

RB · Western Michigan · Jr. · #24

Returning to Western Michigan for 2026
This season's coverage starts August 26 — check back once kickoff hits.

Ofa Mataele

RB · Western Michigan · Jr · #24

Limited signal — not enough coverage for a story yet.

Career Arc

HS
Recruit
No recruit profile
CFB
College
Western Michigan
2025
NFL
NFL Draft
Not drafted (yet)

2025 snapshot

Season context · Team result + system

2025Western Michigan10-4HC: Lance Taylor · Run-heavy

Career stats

SeasonTeam
2025Western Michigan572524.43--
Career572524.43--
SeasonTeam
2025Western Michigan581.60--
Career581.60--

Signature game

SIGNATURE GAME · Week 5 · 2025

W 47–14

vs Rhode Island

60 rush yds (10 car) · 2 TD

Dominant 33-point win at home against Rhode Island.

How he plays

Play style

Does a little of everything without one standout trait.

CFB Index positional classification

2026 Outlook

Western Michigan

2026 Depth chart

Projected starter

Running back · Western Michigan

Returning around him

  • 100% of 2024 offensive production back (Strong continuity)
  • Transfer portal: +1 net (14 in / 13 out)

2026 Award watch

No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)

Western Michigan · Last season: 10-4 · Talent rank #105 · 2026 recruiting class #111

DNA match

Player DNA

Balanced Back

Plays within the scheme — consistent production without a dominant dimension.

RB

His 2025 production profile sits closest to Chez Mellusi’s 2024 season.

Chez Mellusi

85%match

Wisconsin · 2024

#2

Dylan Carson

Air Force · 2025

83%
#3

Ronald Awatt

UTEP · 2020

80%
#4

Dylan Carson

Air Force · 2024

78%
#5

Jovantae Barnes

Oklahoma · 2022

76%

Matches Chez on

Weight
Yards / reception
Receiving share

Through 1 college season, his career arc tracks closest to Gerrid Doaks’s path through Cincinnati.

Gerrid Doaks

97%match

Cincinnati · 2020

All-AACNFL Rd 7
#2

Gary Brightwell

Arizona · 2020

NFL Rd 6
96%
#3

Coleman Bennett

Kennesaw State · 2025

All-Conference USA
95%
#4

Kierre Crossley

Arkansas-Pine Bluff · 2021

94%
#5

DeCarlos Brooks

Arizona State · 2024

92%

Matches Gerrid on

Yards per carry

As a freshman, his production profile tracks closest to Jambres Dubar's freshman season at Boise State (2023).

Boise State · 2023

#2

Jaylen Wright

Tennessee · 2021

NFL Rd 4
79%
#3

Jovantae Barnes

Oklahoma · 2022

77%
#4

Owen Allen

Air Force · 2024

76%
#5

Davion Gause

North Carolina · 2024

75%

Matches Jambres on

Total rush EPA (college ability)
Yards / carry
Receiving share

Differs from Jambres on

Rush TD rate (higher)

Player DNA

Players who play like Ofa Mataele

#1

Coleman Bennett

Kennesaw State · 2025

95%
#2

DeCarlos Brooks

California · 2022

92%
#3

Ty Clark III

Wake Forest · 2025

92%
#4

Dominic Richardson

Oklahoma State · 2021

90%
#5

Jeffery Pittman

Mississippi State · 2023

88%

Heisman trajectory

Heisman Trajectory · 2025

Peak #954

Final rank
#1053
Avg #1102.7
Finalist prob 0%

Peaked at #954 this season.