Top 10! We've reached the cream of the crop of the Under 25 list. So far the list of talent has been tremendous, but it is about to get a lot better, starting with this guy - Clay Matthews III.
Matthews has quickly become one of the best defensive players in the NFL, and has to be in the conversation for the best linebacker in the league. He gets after the passer with a tenacity that few possess, and is all over the field from sideline to sideline making plays every time you turn around.
Interestingly enough, not many figured that Matthews would end up where he is, despite the fact that he has some great NFL bloodlines. His father, Clay Jr., who was a linebacker for Cleveland and Atlanta played the 3rd most games in NFL history, and his uncle Bruce is a Hall of Fame offensive lineman who played in 14 Pro-Bowls. And his grandfather also played 4 years in the NFL. Young Clay Matthews, however, was very much a late bloomer. In fact, his father didn't even start him in HS because he didn't think his son was good enough until his senior year. His recruiting status out of high school is described by him as, "not applicable" and he chose to attend USC with the hope of waling on to the football squad under Pete Carroll, which he did.
At USC he was a red shirt freshman in his first season. Following that year he was a reserve linebacker, and was finally given full scholarship status for his redshirt sophomore year. He played reserve linebacker that season and also in his junior year. As a senior in 2008, though, he played a lot more and recorded 4.5 sacks. He was still out-shined by teammates and future NFLers Brian Cushing and Ray Maualuga.
Matthews was selected 26th overall by the Green Bay Packers with a pick acquired from the New England Patriots (god damn it!). Matthews took to the NFL with a little chip on his shoulder, eager to prove that he wasn't just Clay Jr's son and Bruce's nephew, but that he should have his own place in the family football legacy. As a rookie in 2009 he set a franchise rookie record with 10 sacks. He also became the first Packer rookie to make a pro-bowl since 1978, as he replaced James Briggs on the roster.
2010 got even better for Matthews as he was again named to the Pro-Bowl, although this time he didn't have to replace anyone. He finished the year 4th in the NFL in sacks with 13.5 and was runner-up to Troy Polamalu for Defensive Player of the Year. Matthews also led his defense to a Super Bowl victory over Polamalu's Steelers. In the early part of the 4th quarter Matthews forced a Rashard Mendenhall fumble as Pittsburgh was driving down the field, protecting the Green Bay lead and helping secure the victory.
(A painful memory for DP no doubt)
Not only is Clay Matthews a great player from an individual stand point, but he has the hardware to back up his talents. He is also, in my opinion, one of the very best interviews in the league - well spoken and interesting to listen to. He seems pretty marketable, having already presented a Grammy award. I think we'll see a lot more of Clay Matthews in the near future. A champion already in his very young career, Matthews and Green Bay fans (like BMack) are hoping there are many more championship seasons on the horizon. At just 24 Clay Matthews III looks like he is well on his way to putting his own stamp on the Matthews legacy and Green Bay fans can certainly get excited about that.
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