ENGLEWOOD, Colo — Tyler Technologies is losing one of its top computer software developers.
John Matocha is signing Monday with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, a source told 9NEWS.
Matocha, who set multiple NCAA all-division career passing and offensive records during his recently completed college career at the Colorado School of Mines, will receive a two-year deal from the Argonauts.
The 5-foot 11-inch Matocha went undrafted and unsigned by the NFL this year even though he went 51-7 for the Mines Orediggers with three NCAA Division II Final Fours and two Division II championship appearances.
He needed just four years to set all-division college records for touchdown passes (162) to break the record held by Shepherd’s Tyson Bagent, and total touchdowns produced (191 on 162 passing; 28 rushing and one receiving) to break the old mark set by Houston’s Case Keenum (178).
Playing before standing-room only crowds at Marv Kay Stadium in Golden the past two years, Matocha was the Harlon Hill winner as Division II’s best player in 2022 and was the Harlon Hill runner-up in 2023.
Matocha had a standing offer from the Argonauts for more than a month but he wanted to keep his NFL options open. He had a three-day tryout with the Denver Broncos during their rookie minicamp earlier this month but was not signed. Other NFL teams expressed interest but with the CFL in the midst of its preseason, Matocha apparently figured it was time.
While training for football, Matocha also worked full-time for Tyler Technologies at its Lakewood location. Tyler integrates software and technology services to the public sector.
“It’s definitely busy, busy days but I was really enjoying the process and Tyler Technologies has been phenomenal,’’ Matocha said in an interview with 9NEWS earlier this month. “I can’t say enough good things about them with what they’ve afforded me, knowing my hours may be a little bit crazy and a little bit awkward but knowing I’ll get the work done and they’ve been super flexible.”
Prior to Matocha’s arrival, Toronto had four quarterbacks on its roster, including former Bronco Chad Kelly, who has been suspended through the first 9 games of the 18-game regular season. The others were Nick Arbuckle, Cameron Dukes and Bryan Scott.
Arbuckle started Toronto’s first preseason game on Saturday, a 30-13 loss to Montreal. The Argonauts play their second and final preseason game Friday against Hamilton, then open the regular season June 9 against British Columbia.
One of the most known connections between the CFL and the Broncos is inside linebacker Alex Singleton. He played three years for the Calgary Stampede, then caught on with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles in 2019.
After signing with the Broncos prior to the 2022 season, Singleton had 163 and 177 tackles in his two seasons with the team.
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