Clay Matthews, OLB/DE USC
Posted by Adam Hart April 6, 2009 at 11:12 am
Clay Matthews: 6′3 1/8, 240 lbs
Matthews’ walk-on to starter story could be marred by an unconfirmed, refuted report that he tested positive for steroids at the NFL Scouting Combine. Again, the report has been refuted.
As for his on-field play, Matthews is an aggressive pass rusher who never stops in his quest to bring down the quarterback.
He likely fits on the outside of a 3-4 linebacker corps, and would be an immediate contributor on special teams.
His father has publicly said that he would like his son to land with the Patriots. Matthews, on the other hand, wants to go to Cleveland to follow in his father’s footsteps.
The USA Today put out an article detailing Matthews’ journey at USC, in which he shined on special teams and, eventually, as a starter on defense.
My personal feeling is that Matthews’ draft hype is riding on his feel good story, more than his actual abilities. At the beginning of the college football season, Matthews was on the radar of few “draft experts”. His performance as a senior, family lineage and true underdog story have vaulted him into many first round projections. To me, the first round seems like a stretch, despite his solid performance at USC’s Pro Day. But maybe it’s just me trying to keep the underdog down. What kind of American am I???
Some local pieces on Matthews’ potential to be wearing a Patriots uniform:
- WEEI.com’s Chris Price catches up with Clay Matthews, Sr., who wants his son’s NFL career to be molded by Bill Belichick.
- Shalise Manza Young of the Providence Journal sees Matthews as a fit inside for the Patriots.
- I don’t know who Howard Balzer is, but he likes the idea of Matthews landing in New England. And showing how Clay’s hair flows in the rain.
| 40-yard dash | Bench Press | Vertical Jump | 3-cone drill | 20-yard shuttle | Broad Jump |
| 4.67 | 23 | 35.5 | 6.90 | 4.18 | 10′1 |
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Adam,
You have to be thorough to post intelligently. Matthews work ethics moved him from a former walk-on to a starter on one of College football elite teams.
That has nothing to do with his father’s name and accomplishments – all Clay’s. Then again it’s your personal opinion; it just that you now have let the world knows your capacity to think
Thanks for the comment, Steve. You sort of caught us before we’ve officially “launched” this Draft Central section. In preparing for our launch, I cleaned up my write-up to better reflect my thoughts on Matthews’ draft status. I agree that Matthews’ work ethic is what made him succeed at the college level. I just think some draft experts have gone a little overboard with their first round projections due to getting caught up in his story. But your points are well taken. Especially the one about my capacity to think. Posting write-ups, video and Combine numbers for 105 prospects over a couple days’ time gummed up my mind for a bit there, I’m sure.
[...] Clay Matthews — LB USC, There are so many reasons why Matthews would fit in with the Patriots that I think BB might refuse to pick him simply because he’s the obvious selection*. Matthews’ story is an intriguing one. He walked-on at USC and shined on special teams, before forcing his way into the starting lineup on the Trojans defense. Matthews never stops fighting on a play, bringing intensity and determination to a defense which seemed to get down on itself in 2008. Also, Belichick coached his father in Cleveland. [...]
[...] Clay Matthews [...]
[...] Clay Matthews, Jr. [...]
[...] Clay Matthews, Jr. [...]