DEXTER – Daryl Kipke saw the vision before Mateo could.

The father and son were driving to Dexter High School during Mateo’s freshman year when the two had a conversation that shaped Mateo’s future as a football player.

Mateo wasn’t sure if football would be the outlet for him, but his father knew that if he put in the work, it could be.

Fast forward to 2025 and Daryl’s prediction came true.

On Wednesday, Mateo made his commitment to Toledo official during the early signing period for Division I football recruits.

It was a long journey that saw Mateo go from a late bloomer to one of the state’s top defensive ends and a soon-to-be early enrollee at Toledo in January.

“I remember having a conversation with my dad freshman year, and he was driving me to school, and he’s like, ‘Think abo

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