BRADENTON, Fla. -- Soon after his family moved from the Domican Republic to the United States when he was six, Josue Matias' father signed him up to play baseball.

The sport was a passion for the father, but not the son. On game days, Josue frequently would "lose" is glove as a way to get out of playing. Invariably, his father would find the glove and Matias would have to play a game he didn’t like.

But Matias found a game he did like a few years later.

Most experts project Florida State's Josue Matias as a second-round pick, and a few have him slipping into the first round. Cal Sport Media via AP Images

"I started playing football in the third grade and I just fell in love with the sport," Matias said. "That was the end of baseball. I gave it up around eighth grade. My dad was heartbroken, but he had as much fun watching me play football as watching me play baseball, because I was always making plays."

A two-way lineman in high school in New Jersey, Matias focused on playing guard when he got to Florida State. Now, he’s considered one of the best guard prospects in this year’s draft. Matias almost entered the draft last year. He was told he’d be a third- or fourth-round pick, but decided to return for one more college season.

"I thought I needed one more season to secure and show them I’m a prospect for the NFL," Matias said while doing his combine preparation at IMG Academy last week.

That seems to have worked out well. Most draft experts are projecting Matias as a second-round pick, and a few even have him slipping into the first round.

Matias decided to skip playing in the college all-star games because he wanted to focus on getting ready for the combine. He said he thinks his performance at the combine will only help his draft stock and surprise some of the experts.

"I came in and I thought I was pretty good and (the staff at IMG) made me even better," Matias said. "If I told you I made an improvement on just one skill I’d be lying. It’s been a big improvement overall."

Matias could be a prime prospect for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they try to overhaul an offensive line that was dismal last season. The Bucs are expected to look for an upgrade from Patrick Omameh, and Matias could be what they’re looking for.

"I’d love to go to Tampa Bay," Matias said. "It’s a great place to be, and I think I could make their offensive line better."