Casey Christopher Matthews (born January 16, 1989) is an American former professional football linebacker. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft. He played college football at Oregon. He is the brother of Clay Matthews III.

Casey Matthews
refer to caption
Matthews with the Oregon Ducks
No. 50
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1989-01-16) January 16, 1989 (age 35)
Northridge, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:242 lb (110 kg)
Career information
High school:Oaks Christian School
(Westlake Village, California)
College:Oregon
NFL draft:2011 / round: 4 / pick: 116
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:114
Sacks:2.5
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Matthews attended Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, California, where he played for the Oaks Christian Lions high school football team. During his junior year, he recorded 132 tackles and four quarterback sacks. As a senior, he recorded 158 tackles, ten sacks, and two interceptions. The Oaks 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. As both a junior and senior, Matthews was named an all-Tri Valley League player, defensive player of the year, and all-county player.[1]

Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com,[2] Matthews was listed as the No. 17 inside linebacker in the nation in 2007.[3] He chose Oregon over offers from Arizona State, California, Colorado, Georgia Tech and Ole Miss.

College career

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Matthews attended the University of Oregon where he studied economics.[1] As a true freshman in 2007, Matthews saw action in the first 11 games including one start against Arizona. 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.[1]

In 2008 he played in all 13 games and recorded 67 tackles, including 13 tackles for loss and two sacks.[4] 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.[1] 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."[4] 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.[5]

Matthews finished his college career at the University of Oregon with 50 games played, 245 tackles, nine sacks and four interceptions.

Professional career

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Pre-draft

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Matthews was projected to be drafted in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft.[6]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0+78 in
(1.85 m)
231 lb
(105 kg)
31+12 in
(0.80 m)
8+12 in
(0.22 m)
4.78 s 1.67 s 2.71 s 4.36 s 7.10 s 32.5 in
(0.83 m)
9 ft 5 in
(2.87 m)
13 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[7][6]

Philadelphia Eagles

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Matthews was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round (116th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft.[8][9] He was signed to a four-year contract on July 27, 2011. He opened the 2011 NFL season as the Eagles' starting middle linebacker. He became the Eagles starting nickel-linebacker before the Eagles Week 14 game at Miami. He recorded his first career sack in that same game.

Minnesota Vikings

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Matthews was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as a free agent on March 24, 2015. He sustained a hip labrum injury that required surgery and was placed on injured reserve.

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
2011 PHI 16 3 38 30 8 1.0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2012 PHI 16 1 11 10 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2013 PHI 16 0 12 10 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
2014 PHI 16 11 53 31 22 1.5 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 8 0
64 15 114 81 33 2.5 7 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 8 0

Playoffs

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
2013 PHI 1 0 1 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 0 1 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Personal life

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Matthews was born in Northridge, California to parents Clay and Leslie Matthews. His father Clay Matthews, Jr. played football as an All-American at USC and had a 19-year professional football career in the National Football League.[1] His grandfather Clay Matthews, Sr. and uncle Bruce Matthews both played in the NFL, as well as his brother Clay Matthews III.[4] He also has cousins involved in football: Kevin Matthews was a center for the Tennessee Titans, Jake Matthews is an offensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons and Mike Matthews was a center for the Cleveland Browns.

Casey married his high school sweetheart Alyssa Grillo on July 14, 2012. They have two children.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Casey Matthews. GoDucks.com. Retrieved June 5, 2009.
  2. ^ Casey Matthews Recruiting Profile
  3. ^ Rivals.com inside linebackers 2007
  4. ^ a b c 120 Players You Need To Know Archived 2009-05-15 at the Wayback Machine. College Football News. April 9, 2009.
  5. ^ Auburn claims SEC's fifth straight national title by dropping Oregon on late field goal. ESPN.com. January 10, 2011.
  6. ^ a b "Casey Matthews, Oregon, ILB, 2011 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved May 2, 2011.
  7. ^ "Casey Matthews Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  8. ^ "2011 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  9. ^ "Casey Matthews Drafted in 4th Round". 247 Sports. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
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