Matt Kopa Matthew Alexander " Matt " Kopa ( born February 25 , 1987 ) is a free agent [ American football ] ] offensive tackle of the National Football League . He played college football for Stanford where he changed positions from defensive to offensive lineman in 2007 . Kopa was signed in 2010 by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent . On November 9 , 2010 , Kopa was signed by the Miami Dolphins off of the 49ers practice squad . He later played for the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles . Early years . Kopa earned many accolades as both an offensive and defensive lineman while attending Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove , California . Kopa burst on to the national spotlight during his Junior year following his outstanding performance at the Palo Alto Nike Camp . In 2004 , Kopa was ranked as the # 82 player in the nation , and the # 7 defensive end in the country according to Rivals . com . He played in the CaliFlorida Bowl at the Orange Bowl in Miami , Florida on January 2 , 2005 , along with fellow California stars Mark Sanchez , DeSean Jackson , and Rey Maualuga . In the postseason he was ranked # 17 in California according to Rivals . com . College career . Kopa committed very early in the recruiting process to Stanford , and maintained his allegiance to the Cardinal following the firing of Head Coach Buddy Teevens . He began his career playing on the defensive line for Head Coach Walt Harris . After redshirting his Freshman year , he won the battle for the starting defensive end position in 2006 , but suffered a hyperextended elbow during the final week of Training Camp that marginalized his performance until the last month of the season . In 2007 , Jim Harbaugh became the new Head Coach at Stanford , and asked Kopa to move over to the offensive line . As a Junior , Kopa played both as a reserve offensive tackle and tight end . Kopa eventually played in 35 career games with the Cardinal . He had seven starts including starting the final six games of the 2008 season , five at right tackle and one at left guard . Kopa was projected to have a breakout season in 2009 and be one of the top offensive tackles taken in the 2010 NFL Draft . Unfortunately , he injured his foot while playing in the 2009 season opener against Washington State and missed the rest of the season after undergoing surgery . Kopa petitioned the NCAA to play a 6th year , but was denied . Kopa graduated in 2010 from Stanford University with a degree in mechanical engineering . Professional career . Kopa attended the NFL Scouting Combine in 2010 , but was still rehabbing from foot surgery and did not participate in the on - field drills . He signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent following the 2010 NFL Draft on June 8 , 2010 . Kopa was released during final cuts , but was signed to the 49ers ' practice squad on September 6 , 2010 , where he practiced for the first eight games of the season . He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as a free agent off the 49ers ' practice squad on November 9 , 2010 . On September 3 , 2011 , Kopa was cut by the Miami Dolphins as part of the final roster cutdowns . On September 5 , Kopa was signed to the New England Patriots practice squad . On December 3 , 2012 , Kopa was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles ' active roster off the Patriots ' practice squad . Kopa was later released by Eagles when they made their final roster cuts on August 30 , 2013 .