Former Eastport-South Manor Star Shines in the NFL

Suffolk County has produced its share of talented football players over the years, and Matt Goncalves is quickly making a name for himself among the NFL’s best offensive linemen.

For those who watched Goncalves during his days at Eastport-South Manor High School, seeing him succeed on Sundays is a source of local pride — and his latest performance shows just how far the former ESM offensive lineman has come.

Goncalves, selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the 79th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, turned in an outstanding performance in the Colts’ Week 1 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

According to Pro Football Focus, Goncalves received a 91.2 overall grade, which ranked him second among all NFL guards for the opening week.

That is some impressive company for a player who began his football journey right here in Suffolk County.

Before protecting quarterbacks and opening running lanes against some of the best defensive players in the world, Goncalves was a standout at Eastport-South Manor. His path from the local fields of Manorville to the NFL is a reminder of the tremendous football talent that continues to come out of Suffolk County.

And Goncalves isn’t simply trying to find his place in the league anymore. Performances like the one against Baltimore suggest he is beginning to establish himself as one of the NFL’s premier young offensive linemen.

The Colts certainly believed they were getting a talented player when they selected him in the third round. Now, Goncalves is showing why.

For ESM football fans who remember watching the big offensive lineman during his high school days, there is something especially rewarding about seeing one of their own protecting the quarterback on an NFL field.

From Eastport-South Manor to Indianapolis, Goncalves’ journey is another great Suffolk County football story — and judging by his Week 1 performance, there may be plenty more chapters still to come.