The Rise of Clay Matthews III: From Walk-On to NFL Star

Clay Matthews III's college career at the University of Southern California (USC) is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Despite entering USC as an unheralded walk-on, Matthews transformed himself into a highly regarded NFL prospect, eventually becoming a first-round draft pick and a star linebacker for the Green Bay Packers.

Early Years and Overcoming Obstacles

Matthews' journey to USC was far from typical. Coming out of Agoura High School in Agoura Hills, California, he was considered a "can't-make prospect" by some. In December 2008, USA Today noted that Matthews weighed a mere 166 pounds as a junior backup linebacker and tight end. Despite starting as a senior, he only received one major-college scholarship offer from Idaho.

USC coach Pete Carroll admitted that he initially didn't see the "magic" in Matthews, viewing him as an undersized and physically unprepared player. However, Matthews' determination and strong family background at USC intrigued Carroll.

A Family Legacy

The Matthews family has a rich history of football excellence. Clay Matthews III's grandfather, Clay Matthews Sr., played in the NFL. His father, Clay Matthews Jr., was a four-time Pro Bowl linebacker for the Cleveland Browns. Additionally, his brother Casey Matthews also played linebacker in the NFL, and his uncle is Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews. This legacy undoubtedly fueled Matthews' desire to succeed.

Perseverance at USC

Despite his initial lack of size and recognition, Matthews remained committed to his goal of playing for the Trojans. During his first season in 2004, which culminated in USC's BCS National Championship victory, Matthews redshirted, playing only on the scout team. He turned down opportunities to play during "garbage time" to preserve his eligibility.

In 2005, Matthews continued as a walk-on reserve linebacker, primarily contributing on special teams. His dedication and work ethic eventually earned him a full athletic scholarship at the beginning of the 2006 season. During the offseason, he dedicated himself to weight training and conditioning programs, significantly improving his size and performance.

Special Teams Standout

From 2006 to 2008, Matthews excelled on special teams, earning the USC Special Teams Player of the Year award three consecutive times. This accomplishment made him the only player in USC history to achieve this feat. His special teams prowess showcased his athleticism, tenacity, and willingness to contribute in any way possible.

Transition to "Elephant" Role

In 2008, Matthews' senior season, the USC coaching staff, led by defensive coordinator Nick Holt, Pete Carroll, and Ken Norton Jr., devised a plan to maximize his potential. They implemented a hybrid "elephant" position, where Matthews lined up as a defensive end but utilized the speed and agility of a linebacker. This role allowed him to rush the passer effectively while also dropping into coverage when needed.

Thriving in the New Position

The "elephant" position proved to be a perfect fit for Matthews' skillset. He recorded 4.5 sacks while playing alongside future NFL players Brian Cushing, Rey Maualuga, and Kaluka Maiava. This performance solidified his status as a legitimate NFL prospect.

Draft Evaluation and Projections

As Matthews' senior season progressed, NFL scouts began to take notice. Scott Wolf of the Los Angeles Daily News reported in November 2008 that Matthews was "boosting his stock on a weekly basis." One scout even suggested that he was turning himself into a potential first-day selection.

David Leon Moore of USA Today noted that Matthews was projected by some mock drafts as a third-round pick. However, his performance at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine significantly elevated his draft stock.

Mike Mayock's Assessment

NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock praised Matthews' work ethic and "healthy chip on his shoulder." Mayock acknowledged that Matthews wasn't as naturally gifted as his father but had worked tirelessly to improve his game. He projected Matthews as a potential second-round pick, a remarkable achievement for a former walk-on.

Hybrid Rankings

Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel surveyed 19 personnel men with national experience to rank the top hybrid players in the draft class. Matthews finished third, behind Aaron Maybin and Brian Orakpo, but ahead of other notable prospects like Larry English and Everette Brown.

McGinn also polled 21 scouts to rank USC's linebackers. While Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing received slightly higher marks, Matthews was a close third, demonstrating the scouts' appreciation for his talent.

Alonzo Highsmith's Perspective

Alonzo Highsmith, a former NFL player and then-college scout for the Green Bay Packers, described Matthews as "tough, athletic, and a competitor who has a bit of a chip on his shoulder." Highsmith believed that Matthews was determined to prove himself as the best of USC's linebackers in the draft.

The 2009 NFL Draft and Green Bay

Despite the positive reviews, some concerns remained about Matthews' limited starting experience. He only started a handful of games during his college career. This lack of experience led some analysts to believe that he was not a first-round prospect.

Packers Trade Up

However, Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson saw immense potential in Matthews. On draft day, the Packers traded their second-round, third-round, and a later-round pick to the New England Patriots to move back into the first round and select Matthews with the 26th overall pick.

The move was met with surprise by some analysts, who questioned whether Matthews was worth a first-round selection. However, the Packers' coaching staff, particularly linebackers coach Kevin Greene, believed in Matthews' abilities.

Kevin Greene's Vision

Kevin Greene, a Hall of Fame linebacker himself, saw a lot of potential in Matthews. He stated that Matthews possessed a "set of skills that I have not seen in an outside linebacker" and that he had "another gear I didn't have." Greene's belief in Matthews proved to be prophetic.

NFL Career

In Week 10 against the Dallas Cowboys, Matthews recovered two fumbles and sacked Tony Romo, earning a nomination for Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week. By Week 12 against the Detroit Lions, he recorded three tackles, two assisted tackles, and two sacks against Daunte Culpepper. Week 13 against the Baltimore Ravens, Matthews was awarded NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

In his rookie season, Matthews recorded 51 tackles, 10 sacks, seven pass deflections, three fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble. He started 13 of 16 games at ROLB and led the Packers in QB pressures with 45.5, subsequently finishing third for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

In 2010, Matthews finished the season with 60 tackles, 13.5 sacks, four pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and an interception through 15 games. He was named to the 2011 Pro Bowl NFC roster for the second straight year and was named to the All-Pro team for the first time in his career. Matthews was awarded with the NFL's defensive player of the month award for September after recording six sacks in the first two weeks of the 2010 season.

In the Super Bowl, won by the Packers over the Pittsburgh Steelers, he recorded three tackles, a pass deflection, and a game-changing forced fumble. On the first play of the fourth quarter with the Steelers driving to take the lead with the score 21-17 in favor of Green Bay and the ball on the Packer 33-yard line, he tackled Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall, who fumbled the ball, recovered by Desmond Bishop.

Matthews claimed he had his best overall season despite the low numbers in 2011. The Packers struggled to find pass pressure from the side opposite of Matthews and the loss of defensive end Cullen Jenkins due to free agency and safety Nick Collins due to a career-ending neck injury, placed the Packers last in total defense despite leading the league in interceptions, with 31. Linebacker coach Kevin Greene stated that he has never seen a pass rusher get double teamed as much as Clay had that season.

Prior to the 2012 season, Sporting News ranked Matthews as the second-best outside linebacker in the league, only behind Cowboys' star DeMarcus Ware. Entering Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals, he was second in the league in sacks with nine.

Playing in only 11 games during the 2013 season, Matthews recorded 41 tackles (26 solo), a team-high 7.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles.

Prior to the 2014 season, the Packers signed veteran free agent Julius Peppers to bring an additional pass rush to help Matthews. After a Week 8 loss to the New Orleans Saints, Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers and head coach Mike McCarthy decided to alter Matthews' position, alternating him between outside linebacker and middle linebacker during games, depending on the play call. Matthews finished the season with 11 sacks, 9 passes defended, one interception (his first since 2011), and two forced fumbles. For the first time in his NFL career, Matthews started every game during the regular season.

In the 2016 season, Matthews appeared in 12 games and started nine. On September 28, 2017, during the Week 4 game against the Chicago Bears, Matthews became the Packers' all-time sack leader when he sacked the Bears' quarterback Mike Glennon. On December 10, 2017, during a game against the Cleveland Browns, Matthews recorded a key quarterback pressure in overtime. This pressure resulted in an interception to secure a victory for the Packers. Matthews finished the 2017 season with 7.5 total sacks and 3 pass deflections.

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