Hot! Clay Matthews

Overview

With two loved ones owning not really just played, but excelled at Southern California, you'd probably think that using a appoint such as Clay Matthews I in which he can be recently been among the list of team's top-notch recruits. However, 160-pound high school participants do not have Pete Carroll knocking with their door, regardless of the his continue brand is. Still, once joining the crew like a walk-on, applying four years for a hold and also a special teams player, Matthews composed some sort of terrific last section to help their student profession which may conclusion throughout April by using your ex subscribing to his papa and granddad while USC first-round selections.

When the actual Matthews friends and family obtains together in the holidays, that gathering is usually filled up with athletes. It all begins by using Clay's grandfather, Clay Sr., whom has been with the actual football, struggling and the pool coaches and teams at Georgia Tech while in the 1940s after which it performed with the NFL while using San Francisco 49ers from the 1950s. Clay's father, Clay Jr., had been a four-year (1974-77) linebacker during USC who performed around the Trojans' 1974 country's championship crew plus acquired All-American consistently improves within 1977. He continued to experience with all the NFL's Cleveland Browns and also Atlanta Falcons from 1978-96.

Clay's uncle, Bruce, has been a three-year (1980-82) letterman questionable guard with USC who seem to received All-American consistently improves within 1982 after which enjoyed that NFL's Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans from 1983-2001. Clay's elderly brother, Kyle, lettered at protection on USC's the year 2003 nationwide shining team. Another brother, Casey, is usually a sophomore linebacker with Oregon. His cousin, Ashley Nick, is really a mature around the USC could team that will shot the particular 3 years ago NCAA championship.

Matthews prepped with Agoura High School. His impressive surge for a professional prospect will be among this draft's much more compelling stories, perhaps with no his bloodlines. Lightly recruited being a graduating high school junior, your dog travelled upon to USC as opposed to require a fund to a scaled-down program. "He had been 160 pounds as being a junior inside high school," his / her father, Clay Jr., said. "His senior year, he or she only acquired higher and bigger. But that you're recruited your current gofer year. I appeared to be considering he / she was not planning to have the capacity to have fun with football, and I was okay along with that."

The freshman linebacker appeared to be relegated in order to responsibilities about the scout group at Southern California throughout 2004. As a new red-shirt freshman, this individual gamed mostly on exclusive teams around 2005, experiencing measures in all but the Hawaii tournament (missed in which adventure along with a good elbow sprain). He maintained for you to document tendencies takes up (4 solos) for you to bring in their initial varsity letter.

Now measuring throughout during 230 pounds, Matthews gained a scholarship or grant during 2006 drop camp. He functioned to be a reserve strong-side in the garden linebacker driving Dallas Sartz, nonetheless made their popularity whenever he / she ended up being known as Co-Special Teams Player belonging to the Year. He appeared to be likewise some sort of second-team Academic All-Pac twelve Conference pick. In 13 games, he delivered 15 tackles (9 solos) together with a 7-yard sack.

Matthews ended up being for a second time the main element backup at both outdoor linebacker postures and grabbed this team's Co-Special Teams Player of the Year Award to get the second consecutive season in 2007. He gamed every one 13 games, preventing not one but two kicks even though offer 17 tackle (15 solos) with a few stops for loss. He furthermore caused a couple fumbles, both forthcoming vs. Illinois while in the Rose Bowl.

An powerful weight exercise program over the 2008 offseason ended up being tempered by simply surgery completed on his / her hand, however he or she still finished up obtaining Co-Lifter on the Year honors. The now 240-pounder exposed the 2008 advertising campaign for a reserve, nevertheless took above perfect defensive end obligations for the remaining 10 contests. The All-American professional talk about as well as All-Pac 10 Conference second-team decision ended up being termed the team's Co-Special Teams Player on the Year for any 3 rd consecutive season. He placed last around the workforce together with 56 tackle (28 solos), blocked a different stop plus acquired 4.5 sacks to match seven stops for losses.

High School

Prepped at Agoura (Cal.) High School as being a linebacker, nonetheless were recruited by means of this major colleges."He was 160 pounds to be a junior with high school," his or her father, Clay Jr., said. "His senior year, he or she simply just became higher in addition to bigger. But you will be recruited your younger year. I ended up being considering he was not likely to have the ability to try out football, in addition to I ended up being very good together with that."