Casey Matthews
Encyclopedia
Casey Christopher Matthews (born January 16, 1989) is an American football
linebacker
for the Philadelphia Eagles
of the National Football League
(NFL). He was drafted by the Eagles in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Oregon
.
in Westlake Village, California
. During his junior year he recorded 132 tackle
s and four quarterback sack
s. As a senior he recorded 158 tackles, ten sacks, and two interceptions. The Oak Christian Lions posted a 15-0 record as the California Interscholastic Federation
(CIF) Division III state champions and finished as the sixth-ranked team in the USA Today
national rankings. That season he was named a Long Beach Press-Telegram
"Best in the West" honorable mention player. As both a junior and senior, Matthews was named an all-Tri Valley League player, defensive player of the year, and all-county player. SuperPrep ranked him among the top-ten linebackers in the state of California and Scout.com
ranked him in the top-25 in the nation.
Matthews was rated a three-star prospect by Scout.com
and Rivals.com
. He received scholarship offers from Oregon, Arizona State
, California
, Clemson
, Colorado
, Georgia Tech
, Tennessee
, San Diego State
, Utah
and Mississippi.
where he studied economics
. As a true freshman in 2007
, Matthews saw action in the first 11 games including one start against . He recorded 18 tackles including 11 solo. After suffering a shoulder injury late in the season, he did not play in the game against Oregon State
or in the 2007 Sun Bowl
.
In 2008
he played in all 13 games and recorded 67 tackles, including 13 tackles for loss and two sacks. Matthews compiled a career-high of nine tackles three times, against California
, Stanford
, and Oklahoma State
. He finished as the team's sixth-leading tackler and third in terms of tackles for loss, with 13.0 for 44 yards. College Football News
included him among their "120 Players To Know" and wrote that he is "fundamentally sound, he diagnoses plays well and has a knack for filling the proper lane, a couple of keys to being a successful inside linebacker." Matthews participated in the 2011 BCS National Championship Game
, where Oregon lost to Auburn
, 22–19. Matthews recorded a forced fumble against Heisman Trophy
winner, Cam Newton
, which led to a game-tying score late in the fourth quarter.
Matthews finished his college career at the University of Oregon
with 50 games played, 245 tackles, nine sacks, and four interceptions.
.
in the fourth round (116th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft. He was signed to a four-year contract on July 27, 2011. He opened the 2011 NFL season
as the Eagles' starting middle linebacker.
at USC and had a 19-year professional football career in the National Football League
. His grandfather, Clay, Sr.
, and uncle, Bruce, both played in the NFL as well, and his brother, Clay
, was selected in the 2009 NFL Draft
. His brother Kyle was also a walk-on at USC. His cousin, Kevin
, is a center
for the Tennessee Titans
. His cousin Jake plays Tackle for Texas A&M.
On June 27, 2011, Matthews proposed to his girlfriend, Alyssa Grillo, in Hawaii
.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL). He was drafted by the Eagles in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft
2011 NFL Draft
The 2011 NFL Draft was the 76th installment of the annual NFL Draft, where the franchises of the National Football League select newly eligible football players...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Oregon
Oregon Ducks football
The Oregon Ducks football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University of Oregon located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The team competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Football Bowl Subdivision and is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference. Known as the Ducks, the...
.
Early years
Matthews was born in Northridge, California to parents Clay and Leslie Matthews. He attended Oaks Christian High SchoolOaks Christian High School
Oaks Christian High School is a private non-denominational Christian college-preparatory school located on in Westlake Village, California. Oaks Christian is one of several high schools located within the city limits of Westlake Village. The school colors are Cardinal Red and Vegas Gold and the...
in Westlake Village, California
Westlake Village, California
Westlake Village is a planned community that straddles the Los Angeles and Ventura county line. The eastern portion is the incorporated city Westlake Village, located on the western edge of Los Angeles County, California. The city, located in the region known as the Conejo Valley, encompasses half...
. During his junior year he recorded 132 tackle
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
s and four quarterback sack
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
s. As a senior he recorded 158 tackles, ten sacks, and two interceptions. The Oak Christian Lions posted a 15-0 record as the California Interscholastic Federation
California Interscholastic Federation
The California Interscholastic Federation is the governing body for high school sports in the state of California. It mirrors similar governing bodies in other states; however, it differs from some of the others in that it covers most high schools in the state of California, both public and...
(CIF) Division III state champions and finished as the sixth-ranked team in the USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
national rankings. That season he was named a Long Beach Press-Telegram
Long Beach Press-Telegram
The Press-Telegram is a daily newspaper published in Long Beach, California. Tracing its history to 1897, it is currently published by the Los Angeles Newspaper Group, a division of newspaper conglomerate MediaNews Group, which purchased the newspaper from Knight Ridder in 1997; Ridder and Knight...
"Best in the West" honorable mention player. As both a junior and senior, Matthews was named an all-Tri Valley League player, defensive player of the year, and all-county player. SuperPrep ranked him among the top-ten linebackers in the state of California and Scout.com
Scout.com
Scout.com is an integrated sports publishing company that produces both an Internet and print product. Scout has more than 2.1 million visitors...
ranked him in the top-25 in the nation.
Matthews was rated a three-star prospect by Scout.com
Scout.com
Scout.com is an integrated sports publishing company that produces both an Internet and print product. Scout has more than 2.1 million visitors...
and Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
. He received scholarship offers from Oregon, Arizona State
Arizona State Sun Devils football
The Arizona State Sun Devils' football program represents Arizona State University in college football, and competes in NCAA Division I FBS as a member of the Pacific-12 Conference....
, California
California Golden Bears football
The California Golden Bears football team is the college football team of the University of California. The team plays its home games at California Memorial Stadium, however the team played at San Francisco's AT&T Park in 2011 while Memorial Stadium was being renovated, the team will return to...
, Clemson
Clemson Tigers football
The Clemson Tigers football team is an American football team from Clemson University in South Carolina. It competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
, Colorado
Colorado Buffaloes football
The Colorado Buffaloes football program represents the University of Colorado at Boulder in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The team is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, having previously been a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. Before joining the Big 12,...
, Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represents the Georgia Institute of Technology in collegiate level football. While the team is officially designated as the Yellow Jackets, it is also referred to as the Ramblin' Wreck. The Yellow Jackets are a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
, Tennessee
Tennessee Volunteers football
The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
, San Diego State
San Diego State Aztecs football
The San Diego State football team represents the San Diego State Aztecs in college football. The Aztecs, a Division I FBS team and a member of the Mountain West Conference, play their home games at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The field is natural grass and has a maximum capacity of...
, Utah
Utah Utes football
The Utah Utes football program is a college football team that currently competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I and represents the University of Utah. The Utah college football program began in 1892 and has played home games at Rice–Eccles...
and Mississippi.
College career
Matthews attended the University of OregonUniversity of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
where he studied economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
. As a true freshman in 2007
2007 Oregon Ducks football team
The 2007 Oregon Ducks football team represents the University of Oregon in the college football season of 2007. The team is coached by Mike Bellotti and plays their home games at Autzen Stadium....
, Matthews saw action in the first 11 games including one start against . He recorded 18 tackles including 11 solo. After suffering a shoulder injury late in the season, he did not play in the game against Oregon State
2007 Oregon State Beavers football team
The 2007 Oregon State Beavers football team represented Oregon State University in the college football season of 2007-2008. The team's head coach is Mike Riley. Home games are played at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon.-Season notes:...
or in the 2007 Sun Bowl
2007 Sun Bowl
The 2007 Brut Sun Bowl, part of the 2007-08 NCAA football bowl games season, was played on December 31, 2007 at Sun Bowl Stadium on the campus of the University of Texas, El Paso between the South Florida Bulls and the Oregon Ducks....
.
In 2008
2008 Oregon Ducks football team
The 2008 Oregon Ducks football team represented the University of Oregon in the college football season of 2008. This was the final season for Mike Bellotti as the Ducks' head coach; he was promoted to become the school's athletic director after the season. The Ducks played their home games at...
he played in all 13 games and recorded 67 tackles, including 13 tackles for loss and two sacks. Matthews compiled a career-high of nine tackles three times, against California
2008 California Golden Bears football team
The 2008 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in the college football 2008-2009 season. They played their home games at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California and are coached by Jeff Tedford...
, Stanford
2008 Stanford Cardinal football team
The 2008 Stanford Cardinal football team represented Stanford University in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team's head coach was Jim Harbaugh, who entered his second year at Stanford. The team played their home games at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California and competed in the...
, and Oklahoma State
2008 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team
The 2008 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team represents Oklahoma State University for the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision intercollegiate football season of 2008-2009.-Schedule:Source:-Washington State:-Houston:...
. He finished as the team's sixth-leading tackler and third in terms of tackles for loss, with 13.0 for 44 yards. College Football News
College Football News
College Football News is a magazine and website published by College Football News, Inc., headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. News coverage includes scores, statistics, rankings, and reports on college football games. Analysis includes comparisons between teams, predictions of game outcomes and...
included him among their "120 Players To Know" and wrote that he is "fundamentally sound, he diagnoses plays well and has a knack for filling the proper lane, a couple of keys to being a successful inside linebacker." Matthews participated in the 2011 BCS National Championship Game
2011 BCS National Championship Game
The 2011 Tostitos BCS National Championship Game was the final college football game to determine the national champion of the 2010 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision season. The finale of the 2010-2011 Bowl Championship Series was played at the University of Phoenix Stadium, the host...
, where Oregon lost to Auburn
2010 Auburn Tigers football team
The 2010 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 2010–2011 college football season. The Tigers, led by second year head coach Gene Chizik were members of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference and played their home games at Jordan-Hare Stadium...
, 22–19. Matthews recorded a forced fumble against Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winner, Cam Newton
Cam Newton
Cameron Lemark Newton is a former American football safety. He played college football at Furman University, then played two seasons in the NFL, one each for the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers. He was cut from the Panthers before the 2007 season...
, which led to a game-tying score late in the fourth quarter.
Matthews finished his college career at the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
with 50 games played, 245 tackles, nine sacks, and four interceptions.
Pre-draft
Matthews was projected to be drafted in the third or fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft2011 NFL Draft
The 2011 NFL Draft was the 76th installment of the annual NFL Draft, where the franchises of the National Football League select newly eligible football players...
.
Philadelphia Eagles
Matthews was selected by the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the fourth round (116th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft. He was signed to a four-year contract on July 27, 2011. He opened the 2011 NFL season
2011 NFL season
The 2011 NFL season, the 92nd regular season of the National Football League, began on Thursday, September 8, 2011 with the Super Bowl XLV champion Green Bay Packers defeating the New Orleans Saints 42–34 at Lambeau Field and will end with Super Bowl XLVI, the league's championship game, on...
as the Eagles' starting middle linebacker.
Personal
Matthews' father, Clay Matthews, Jr., played football as an All-AmericanCollege Football All-America Team
The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
at USC and had a 19-year professional football career in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. His grandfather, Clay, Sr.
Clay Matthews, Sr.
William Clay Matthews, Sr. is a former American football Offensive tackle for four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL. His career was interrupted by the Korean War, and Matthews became a paratrooper for the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division...
, and uncle, Bruce, both played in the NFL as well, and his brother, Clay
Clay Matthews III
William Clay Matthews III is an American football linebacker for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Packers 26th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Southern California.-Early years:Matthews was born in the Los...
, was selected in the 2009 NFL Draft
2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
. His brother Kyle was also a walk-on at USC. His cousin, Kevin
Kevin Matthews (American football)
Kevin James Matthews is an American football center for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was signed by the Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
, is a center
Center (American football)
Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
for the Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
. His cousin Jake plays Tackle for Texas A&M.
On June 27, 2011, Matthews proposed to his girlfriend, Alyssa Grillo, in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
.
External links
- Philadelphia Eagles bio
- Oregon Ducks bio
- NFL Combine profile
- ESPN stats
- The sons shine at Oregon, The Register-GuardThe Register-GuardThe Register-Guard is a daily newspaper published in Eugene, Oregon, United States. It was formed in a 1930 merger of two Eugene papers, the Eugene Daily Guard and the Morning Register. The paper serves the Eugene-Springfield area, as well as the Oregon Coast, Umpqua River Valley, and surrounding...
, December 27, 2007. - Matthews and Mates Try to Master Everything, Scout.comScout.comScout.com is an integrated sports publishing company that produces both an Internet and print product. Scout has more than 2.1 million visitors...
, August 14, 2008. - This one's a family affair for Matthews, The Register-Guard, October 27, 2007.
- Middle man, The Register-Guard, April 29, 2009.