Clay Matthews III

William Clay Matthews III (born May 14, 1986) is a former American professional football linebacker who spent a decade in the NFL, mostly with the Green Bay Packers. He holds the franchise record for career sacks with 83.5, was selected to six Pro Bowls, earned two All-Pro nods, and entered the Packers Hall of Fame in 2024.

Matthews grew up in a football dynasty. His father, Clay Matthews Jr., and uncle, Bruce Matthews, both played in the NFL, and his brother Casey also became a professional linebacker. Born in the Northridge section of Los Angeles to Leslie and Clay Jr., Matthews attended Agoura High School in Agoura Hills, California, where his father served as defensive coordinator but held him out of the starting lineup due to his small size. Matthews developed physically as a senior but drew little recruiting interest beyond Division I FCS schools and community colleges. He described his own recruiting status as “not applicable” and chose to walk on at the University of Southern California, following his father and uncle.

At USC under head coach Pete Carroll, Matthews played from 2004 to 2008. He redshirted as a freshman during the Trojans’ 2004 BCS National Championship season, turning down garbage-time playing time to preserve eligibility. He remained a walk-on reserve linebacker and special teams contributor in 2005, earned a full scholarship in 2006, and continued as a backup in 2006 and 2007, making two starts in place of an injured Brian Cushing. Matthews won USC’s Co-Special Teams Player of the Year award in 2006 and 2007, blocking two field goals in the latter season.

After an offseason of intense weight training, he shifted to a hybrid “elephant” position in 2008, lining up as a stand-up defensive end while using linebacker speed. The move paid off: he recorded 4.5 sacks alongside future NFL linebackers Brian Cushing, Rey Maualuga, and Kaluka Maiava. He also earned his third consecutive Co-Special Teams Player of the Year award, a feat no other USC player has matched. Matthews played in the 2009 Senior Bowl and was viewed as a top draft prospect.

He, Maualuga, and Cushing appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s 2009 NFL Draft Preview issue, all considered potential first-round picks. He was inducted into the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame in June 2023.

The Green Bay Packers traded up to select Matthews with the 26th overall pick in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft. As a rookie outside linebacker, he notched 10 sacks. He improved to 13.5 sacks in 2010, helping the Packers win Super Bowl XLV. Matthews remained a top pass rusher, recording at least six sacks in each of his first nine seasons. During the 2014 and 2015 seasons, he also played inside linebacker, showcasing his versatility.