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Clay Matthews # prospect in 2009 NFL Draft.

Clay Matthews NFL Draft Bio

William Clay Matthews III (born May 14, 1986) is an American football linebacker for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). Nicknamed "The Clay Maker", he played college football for the University of Southern California (USC). He was drafted by the Packers 26th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. He is currently considered to be one of the best linebackers and pass rushers in the NFL.

While attending the University of Southern California, Matthews played for the USC Trojans football team from 2004 to 2008 under head coach Pete Carroll. Matthews entered USC as an unheralded, walk-on student athlete. During his first season, USC's 2004 National Championship season, he played only on the scout team and turned down several playing opportunities during garbage time during the fourth quarters of games in order to preserve his redshirt status and remaining seasons of NCAA eligibility. He remained a non-athletic scholarship (a "walk on"), reserve linebacker during the 2005 season, and played mainly on special teams. He was granted full athletic scholarship status at the beginning of the 2006 season. Matthews continued to play reserve linebacker in the 2006 and 2007 seasons, and made two starts in 2007 in place of injured teammate Brian Cushing. He was awarded USC's Co-Special Teams Player of the Year in 2006 and 2007 and blocked two field goals in the latter season.

During the off-season, Matthews committed to weight training and conditioning programs to gain size and improve his performance level and stamina. At the beginning of the 2008 season, defensive coordinator Nick Holt, Carroll and Norton decided to try using Matthews in a hybrid "Elephant" position, where Matthews would stand in the position of defensive end, but use the speed and tactics of a linebacker; the coaches had used Cushing in the position in a similar manner in 2006. The experiment was successful, as Matthews recorded 4.5 sacks while playing alongside his other NFL-bound teammates Brian Cushing, Rey Maualuga and Kaluka Maiava. Furthermore, Matthews continued his spectacular special teams play and was awarded USC's Co-Special Teams Player of the Year in 2008, making him the only player in USC history to be awarded three consecutive Special Teams Player of the Year awards. Matthews was a participant in the 2009 Senior Bowl and was considered a top prospect for the 2009 NFL Draft

Matthews was one of twelve senior USC football players, including the four linebackers Cushing, Maiava, Matthews and Maualuga, attending the by-invitation-only 2009 NFL Scouting Combine. Matthews, alongside fellow USC linebackers Maualuga and Cushing, was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated's 2009 NFL Draft Preview magazine, as all three were regarded as potential first round selections.

Draft Year: 2009 NFL Football Draft Prospect Stats for Clay Matthews

Pre-Rank	Prospect Name	Position Played	Height	Weight
	Clay Matthews	Linebacker	6' 3"	255 lbs
Round	Selected	Team	School	Hometown
1	26	Green Bay Packers	USC	Northridge, California

Learn more about 2009 NFL Draft Prospect Clay Matthews

Sportspool.com pre ranked Clay Matthews as a projected # prospect for the 2009 NFL Draft

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Clay Matthews is a top NFL prospect from the 2009 NFL Draft. 2009 draft prospect Clay Matthews player profile, bio, statistics, pre ranked mock draft and more. Enjoy our information database on Clay Matthews a 6' 3"' 255 lbs lbs Linebacker from USC.