Matthews goes from walk-on to wanted man

Photo courtesy of USC Sports Information HARD WORK PAYS OFF—When Clay Matthews III graduated from Agoura High in 2004, he wasn't on many college teams' radars. But after a productive career at USC he's expected to be selected in the first or second round of this weekend's NFLDraft. This weekend in New York, a second member of the 2003 Agoura High football team will be drafted by an NFLfranchise.

The first was Joey LaRocque, an '04 AHS grad selected by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round, pick No. 243, of last year's draft.

LaRocque, a linebacker, appeared in three games for the Bears as a rookie, logging six tackles.

This year, Clay Matthews III, who's featured on the cover of this week's Sports Illustrated, is making the sizable leap from college ball to the pros.

Matthews III, an outside linebacker who also graduated from Agoura in '04, has transformed himself from unheralded walk-on at USC to highly regarded draft prospect in only a few years.

Despite being named All-CIF as a senior with the Chargers and possessing a nationally recognized football name—his grandfather, father and uncle all played in the NFL—Matthews III wasn't recruited much out of high school.

"He didn't even really start for us until he was a senior," Charger head coach Charlie Wegher said. "It took him some time to develop. I think he was about 5-foot-7 and 130 pounds as a freshman. . . .

"He was always smart and a good player, but he wasn't physically ready until late in his high school career."

Undeterred by the lack of college recruiters knocking on his door, Matthews III set his sights on USC, the program where his father, Clay Matthews Jr., and uncle, Bruce Matthews, had Hall of Fame college careers.

Matthews III made the Trojan squad as a red-shirt walk-on in 2004. The following season, as a red-shirt freshman, Matthews III appeared in 12 games in a reserve role and as a special teams contributor.

During the 2006 and '07 campaigns, Matthews III competed in all 26 of the Trojans' games, making a pair of starts. He was named co-special teams player of the year on both occasions.

As a senior, Matthews III started 10 games for USC, posting 56 tackles, 4.5 sacks and a blocked field goal. For his effort, Matthews III was a second-team All-Pac-10 selection.

"If you look at the path he's traveled, from being a walk-on at USC and not having a scholarship, and even a year ago when he probably wasn't on anybody's draft board, he looks at this as a winwin situation," Matthews Jr. said.

"I think Clay is looking forward to being able to continue to play football, and that's a pretty good way to look at it."

Matthews Jr. was a first-round pick, No. 12 overall, by the Cleveland Browns in 1978. He spent 19 seasons in the NFLwith the Browns and Atlanta Falcons, and his 278 games played ranks 12th all-time in league history.

These days, Matthews Jr. serves as the defensive coordinator for Oaks Christian. He used to coach at Agoura and still lives in the community.

Bruce Matthews was taken in the first round of the 1983 draft by the Houston Oilers. He made 14 Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.

Their father, Clay Matthews Sr., played four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers during the 1950s.

According to Matthews Jr., his son was a late bloomer, much like Bruce and himself were.

Skinny and unimposing for much of his high school career, Matthews III is now listed at 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds.

In his most recent prognostications, Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN draft expert, had Matthews III going to the Browns early in the second round.

Scouts Inc., the nationally recognized scouting service utilized by ESPN, lists Matthews III as the 18th best player available in the draft and second-best outside linebacker.

KFFL.com, an online sports news service, reports Matthews III has visited the Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons and Browns.

"There's information out there, and there's disinformation," Matthews Jr. said. "When we look at where Clay was and where he is now, any place sounds good. He's excited just to get the opportunity to play."

Wegher said he's received phone calls from the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts inquiring about Matthews' character on the field, in the classroom and in the weight room.

"They know what's on film," Wegher said, "but they also want to know what type of leader he was."

While draft speculation is often benign, if not completely overboard, Matthews III and his USC teammate, linebacker Brian Cushing, were both named in an erroneous steroids report in early April.

The false story, released by NFLDraftBible.com, stated that Matthews III and Cushing tested positive for steroids during the NFLScouting Combine in February.

A few days later, the NFLdoctor who administered the test shot down the report and cleared both players of any wrongdoing.

"When you get old, you've been through these types of things," Matthews Jr. said. "But when you have a 22-year-old kid who's set a goal to do something and is getting it done and is very excited, and then to have a completely erroneous story come out, that is a shame. . . .

"Two young guys worked their tails off with the goal of playing in the NFL. And then they're on the verge of that and someone trying to make a few bucks on a website gives them a long couple of hours. But they worked through it," he said.

Wegher, who's coached at Agoura since 1991, said Matthews III will be the third Charger player to be selected in the NFLDraft since his time at the school.

The first was Elliot Silvers, an offensive lineman taken by the San Diego Chargers in 2001.

The two-day draft is scheduled to begin Saturday at 1 p.m. from Radio City Music Hall. It will be televised on ESPN and NFLNetwork.