Hot! Clay Matthews

Overview

With two relations possessing not alone played, but excelled with Southern California, you should reckon that which has a name similar to Clay Matthews I this your dog would have been recently among the list of team's elite recruits. However, 160-pound graduating players would not have Pete Carroll trashing with his or her door, whatever his last title is. Still, after signing up for the group for a walk-on, putting in several years to be a pre-book including a particular teams player, Matthews written a terrific final chapter to their institution career that will conclude inside April by using him signing up for his or her daddy and big brother as USC first-round selections.

When that Matthews loved ones obtains mutually during the holidays, this meeting can be filled up with athletes. It many begins together with Clay's grandfather, Clay Sr., which had been to the football, wrestling in addition to floating around teams at Georgia Tech in the 1940s then played out from the NFL with all the San Francisco 49ers inside the 1950s. Clay's father, Clay Jr., had been a four-year (1974-77) linebacker with USC whom enjoyed within the Trojans' 1974 national championship crew and attained All-American honors within 1977. He journeyed through to perform together with the NFL's Cleveland Browns and also Atlanta Falcons coming from 1978-96.

Clay's uncle, Bruce, had been a three-year (1980-82) letterman offensive safeguard with USC who earned All-American honors around 1982 plus and then dealt with that NFL's Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans out of 1983-2001. Clay's mature brother, Kyle, lettered during safe practices upon USC's the year 2003 countrywide championship team. Another brother, Casey, may be a sophomore linebacker at Oregon. His cousin, Ashley Nick, may be a elderly on the USC unique soccer team this grabbed this 2007 NCAA championship.

Matthews prepped at Agoura High School. His stunning rise to be a expert prospective client would be considered one of this draft's a lot more compelling stories, even without having his bloodlines. Lightly recruited like a higher education junior, he or she went through to USC in lieu of please take a scholarship to somewhat of a smaller program. "He seemed to be 160 excess fat for a junior around excessive school," his or her father, Clay Jr., said. "His older person year, he / she simply just received higher along with bigger. But you're recruited ones younger year. I appeared to be imagining he was not going to be capable to play football, and I was very good along with that."

The freshman linebacker had been relegated to jobs for the scout company at Southern California throughout 2004. As a red-shirt freshman, he enjoyed generally with special coaches and teams in 2005, experiencing measures in just about all however your Hawaii contest (missed this game by using an elbow sprain). He maintained to help track record actions takes up (4 solos) for you to earn his initial varsity letter.

Now approximately within at 230 pounds, Matthews earned some sort of fund for the duration of 2006 slide camp. He offered as a pre-book strong-side in the garden linebacker powering Dallas Sartz, but built his history whenever he / she seemed to be named Co-Special Teams Player of the Year. He was additionally a new second-team Academic All-Pac 10 Conference pick. In tough luck games, he or she sent fifteen tackles (9 solos) using your 7-yard sack.

Matthews ended up being again one of the keys copy during equally outside linebacker positions and grabbed the particular team's Co-Special Teams Player associated with this Year Award for your second consecutive time throughout 2007. He played in most tough luck games, blocking a couple kicks while posting seventeen tackles (15 solos) together with three stops to get loss. He in addition triggered not one but two fumbles, both equally coming vs. Illinois while in the Rose Bowl.

An strong body building exercise plan while in the 2008 offseason was tempered by means of surgical procedure conducted on his / her hand, but he / she continue to long been receiving Co-Lifter of the Year honors. The at this point 240-pounder showed that 2008 marketing like a reserve, but took through right defensive end duties with the last twelve contests. The All-American ethical mention and All-Pac 10 Conference second-team preference ended up being referred to as the team's Co-Special Teams Player with the Year for any third consecutive season. He graded next within the company with 56 baits (28 solos), blocked a different kick as well as have 4.5 carriers to look along with nine prevents regarding losses.

High School

Prepped during Agoura (Cal.) High School like a linebacker, but was not recruited with the major colleges."He appeared to be 160 pounds as being a gofer in high school," his / her father, Clay Jr., said. "His senior year, they simply acquired taller and also bigger. But you're recruited your jr . year. I seemed to be wondering he / she was not going to be able to play football, plus I seemed to be great with that."