[align=center]Clay Matthews | Linebacker | USC | 6'3" - 240 lbs.[/align]
OVERVIEW
With two family members having not only played, but excelled, at Southern California, you would think that with a name like Clay Matthews III that he would have been one of the team's elite recruits. However, Matthews joined the team as a walk-on, putting in three years as a reserve and a special teams player. He then wrote a terrific final chapter to his college career that could end in April with him joining his father and uncle as USC first-round selections.
Matthews comes from a family full of world-class athletes. It all begins with Clay's grandfather, Clay Sr., who was on the football, wrestling and swimming teams at Georgia Tech in the 1940s and then played in the NFL with the San Francisco 4gers in the 1950s. Clay's father, Clay Jr., was a four-year (1974-77) linebacker at USC who played on the 1974 national championship team and earned All-American honors in 1977. He went on to play with the NFL's Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons from 1978 to 1996.
Clay's uncle, Bruce, was a three-year (1980-82) letterman offensive guard at USC who earned All-American honors in 1982 and then played with the NFL's Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans from 1983 to 2001. Clay's older brother, Kyle, lettered at safety on USC's 2003 national championship team. Another brother, Casey, is a sophomore linebacker at Oregon. His cousin, Ashley Nick, is a senior on the USC women's soccer team that captured the 2007 NCAA championship.
Matthews prepped at Agoura High SchooL. His dramatic rise as a pro prospect would be one of this draft's more compelling stories, even without his bloodlines. He walked on at USC rather than take a scholarship to a smaller program.
The freshman linebacker was relegated to duties on the scout team at Southern California in 2004. As a redshirt freshman, he played mostly on special teams in 2005, seeing action in all but the Hawaii contest (missed that game with an elbow sprain). He managed to record eight tackles (4 solos) to earn his first varsity letter.
Now measuring in at 230 pounds, Matthews earned a scholarship during 2006 fall camp. He served as a reserve strongside outside linebacker behind Dallas Sartz, but made his reputation when he was named Co-Special Teams Player of the Year. He was also a second-team Academic All-Pac 10 Conference pick. In 13 games, he delivered 15 tackles (9 solos) with a 7 -yard sack.
Matthews was again the key back-up at both outside linebacker positions and captured the team's Co-Special Teams Player of the Year Award for the second consecutive season in 2007. He played in all 13 games, blocking two kicks while posting 17 tackles (15 solos) with three stops for loss. He also caused two fumbles, both coming vs. Illinois in the Rose BowL.
An intense weight training program during the 2008 offseason saw Matthews earn USC's Co-Lifter of the Year award. The now 240-pounder opened the 2008 campaign as a reserve, but took over right defensive end duties for the final 1 0 contests. The All-American honorable mention and All-Pac 10 Conference second-team choice was named the team's Co-Special Teams Player of the Year for the third straight season. He ranked fourth on the team with 56 tackles (28 solos), blocked another kick and had 4.5 sacks to go with nine stops for losses.
CAREER NOTES
Matthews started the final 10 games of his 50-game Southern California career at right defensive end and vs. Nebraska and Washington State at strong-side outside linebacker in 2007... The three-time team Co-Special Teams Player of the Year blocked three kicks, deflected four passes, recovered two fumbles and recovered four others.. .Also recorded 96 tackles (56 solos) that included one quarterback pressure, 5.5 sacks for minus 49 yards and 13.5 stops for losses totaling 91 yards.
2008 SEASON
Matthews earned All-American honorable mention from Pro Football Weekly, in addition to receiving All-Pac 10 Conference second-team accolades... Academic All-Pac 10 first-team and named the sq uads Co-Lifter of the Year and Co-Special Teams Player of the Year, the third consecutive season he captured that latter award... Played behind Everson Griffen at right defensive tackle for the season's first three games before taking over and starting the final ten contests... Ranked fourth on the team with 56 tackles (28 solos), as he helped the Trojans lead the nation in scoring defense (9.0 ppg) and passing efficiency defense (85.75 rating)... Tied for second on the team with 4.5 sacks for minus 42 yards and ranked third on the team with nine stops for losses of 59 yards, as the Trojans finished fifth nationally in rush defense (87.38 ypg) and second in total defense (221.77 ypg)... Had a pair of pass deflections and blocked his third field goal for his career (vs. Oregon State).. .Also caused and recovered a pair of fumbles.
2007 SEASON
Matthews played behind Brian Cushing and Thomas Williams at strong-side linebacker, in addition to excelling on special teams, where he was selected Co-Special Teams Player of the Year for the second-straight season... Also took snap at rush end... Recorded 17 tackles (15 solos) with three stops for losses of23 yards and one quarterback pressure... Caused two fumbles, both coming in the Rose Bowl... Deflected one pass and blocked a pair of field goals... When Cushing was sidelined with an injury, Matthews stepped in and started at strong-side linebacker vs. Nebraska and Washington State.
2006 SEASON
Academic All-Pac 10 Conference second-team choice... Named the team's Co-Special Teams Player of the Year... The one-time walk-on earned a scholarship in fall drills and served as a reserve strong-side linebacker, playing behind Dallas Sartz in 13 games...Was a key special teams player as a sophomore... Overall, he recorded 15 tackles (9 solos) with a 7- yard sack and 1.5 stops for minus 9 yards.
2005 SEASON
As a redshirt freshman reserve linebacker, Matthews played mostly on special teams... Finished with eight tackles (4 solos) and a pass deflection in 11 games.
2004 SEASON
Redshirt season.
CAMPUS AGILITY TESTS
4.62 in the 40-yard dash... 1.49 10-yard dash...2.68 20-yard dash...4.18 20-yard shuttle. ..6.93 three-cone drill... 35.5-inch vertical jump... 10'1" broad jump... Bench pressed 225 pounds 23 times... 32-inch arm length... 9 3/8-inch hands.
HIGH SCHOOL
Prepped at Agoura (Cal.) High School as a linebacker.
PERSONAL
International Relations major, attaining a 3.06 grade point average to earn Academic All-Pac 10 Conference honors in 2006 and 2008... Comes from a family rich in sports tradition... Clay's grandfather, Clay Sr., was on the football, wrestling and swimming teams at Georgia Tech in the 1940s and then played in the NFL with the San Francisco 4gers in the 1950s...Clay's father, Clay Jr., was a four-year (1974-77) linebacker at USC who played on the 1974 national championship team and earned All-American honors in 1977. He went on to play with the NFL's Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons from 1978 to 1996... Clay's uncle, Bruce, was a three-year (1980-82) letterman offensive guard at USC who earned All-American honors in 1982 and then played with the NFL's Houston OilerslTennessee Titans from 1983 to 2001... Clay's older brother, Kyle, lettered at safety on USC's 2003 national championship team.. .Another brother, Casey, is a sophomore line-backer at Oregon... His cousin, Ashley Nick, is a senior on the USC women's soccer team that captured the 2007 NCAA championship... Born 5/14/86... Resides in Agoura Hills, California.