KATY, Tex. -- Three-star Katy defensive end Michael Matus is about as quick and decisive with his words as he is with his play on the field.

In his team’s season-opening win against The Woodlands on Saturday - a team fresh off its appearance in last year’s 6A championship game - Matus was tenacious and aggressive, making a number of plays in the Highlanders’ backfield. Afterwards he showed equal energy discussing his commitment to Arizona State.

“Things are awesome. Just awesome,” he said. “I just talked with Coach (Michael) Slater and Coach (Todd) Graham the other day. It’s amazing.”

To that end, Graham’s name has been mentioned as one that could very well be coaching for his job this year. Matus, however, said that whatever happens in regards to the head coach’s future with the program is immaterial.

“It doesn’t change my mind at all,” he said. “I picked Arizona State for a reason. The one thing my mom and dad told me to do was not to go to a college for a coach. Todd Graham did have something to do with it, but there was more to it than just him. It felt like home.”

Matus plans on taking his official visit to Arizona State when the Sun Devils host Colorado on November 4 weekend. He didn’t confirm that he wouldn’t take other visits, but he said that he hasn’t made plans to, either.

Matus has shown good development physically and as a player since last season. Playing in his team’s first game of the season since Hurricane Harvey in a brand-new football stadium against a state title contender, Matus played a very strong game. He showed great pass-rush ability and strength against the run and played both on and off the line.

He should be the type of player that any defensive coach can find a role for somewhere in the front seven, so him doubling-down on his commitment to Arizona State is great news for Sun Devils fans.