Four defensive players have been signed by the Falcons.
Defensive lineman Matthew Gotel, offensive lineman Michal Menet, defensive lineman Caeveon Patton, and wide receiver Mathew Sexton all signed, the Atlanta Falcons announced on Friday morning.
These transactions match some roster shuffles that occurred on Thursday. Offensive lineman Ethan Greenidge was placed on season-ending injured reserve, while tight end Feleipe Franks, defensive lineman Ikenna Enechukwu, and receiver Chris Blair were waived or injured.
Gotel transferred from Snow Junior College (2017–18) in Ephraim, Utah, to play three seasons of collegiate football at the University of West Florida (2019–21) in Ferry Pass, Florida. He recorded 57 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and ten quarterback hits in his 26 games of action. He was named to the first team of the GSC in 2021 as a senior after recording 26 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and one pass defensed.
The Tacoma, Washington, native finished with 31 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in the 2019 national championship. Gotel played for the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL in 2023, making 10 appearances and tallying 23 tackles.
Wide receiver Mack Hollins (18) of the Atlanta Falcons attended the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia. Atlanta Falcons/Shanna Lockwood photo.
At the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp, Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield (77) is shown. (Image courtesy of Atlanta Falcons/Shanna Lockwood).
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, general manager Terry Fontenot, and general manager Arthur M. Blank during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Image courtesy of Atlanta Falcons/Shanna Lockwood)
Copyright: Atlanta Falcons, 2023He was a center field player for Penn State for four seasons (2017–20), appearing in 46 games (34 starts). The product of Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, concluded his career as the team captain twice, in 2019 and 2020. He was named to the Big Ten third-team all-star team in his redshirt senior year, having led an attack that finished second in the conference in terms of total offense (430.3 ypg). The Dick Maginnis Memorial Award, which is given to the team’s best offensive lineman, was his in 2019. Menet played 10 games in 2023 while he was a member of the XFL Seattle Sea Dragons.The 6’1″, 291-pound defensive lineman was a member of the Bobcats for four seasons (2017–21), participating in forty-four games and recording 179 total tackles (70 solo), 11.5 tackles for loss, six passes defensed, 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. Following his stint with the Orlando Guardians of the XFL in 2023, Patton appeared in 10 games, totaling 40 tackles (12 solo) and five tackles for loss. As a result, he was named to the All-XFL squad.
Sexton attended Eastern Michigan for four seasons (2016–19), participating in 45 games (25 starts). The native of Clinton, Michigan, concluded his career with nine receiving touchdowns and 100 receptions for 1,335 yards—the 13th most in program history. Sexton set career highs in receiving yards (508 yards) and receiving touchdowns (four) in 2019 as a senior. Sexton played in 10 games for the XFL’s Vegas Vipers in 2023, racking up 364 receiving yards on 23 receptions.
