Around NFL Mini-Camps

This year's draft sent 11 more Trojans into the NFL. Here's a look at some of our guys (past and present) in their new colors as mini-camps get underway around the league. (Note: Photos courtesy of Yahoo! Sports)

Mark Sanchez, NY Jets


More pictures after the jump...




Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers


Fili Moala, Indianapolis Colts


David Buehler, Dallas Cowboys


Cary Harris, Buffalo Bills


Chauncey Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars


Matt Spanos, Dallas Cowboys


More pictures to come as other teams conduct their mini-camps.

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USC- "Linebacker U"

That is what the Worldwide Leader in Sports has coined the USC program which has 3 senior linebackers dominating the Senior Bowl practices. Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing, and Clay Matthews are attempting to cap off their amazing senior seasons with strong performances in this year's Senior Bowl in front of hundreds of NFL scouts, coaches and GMs. Todd McShay says that the Trojans could see its 3 linebackers taken in the top 40 picks of this year's NFL draft. Excluded from the Linebacker U talk is USC's other senior linebacker, and this year's Rose Bowl defensive MVP, Kaluka Maiava. With QB Mark Sanchez expected to be taken at the top of the draft as well I think the phrase NFL-U may be more appropriate.



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Countdown to 2008 Kickoff: 47 Days

As we continue our Countdown to Kickoff, we present to you the man rocking the #47 jersey, senior Clay Matthews III. Clay Matthews is probably one of the most underrated players on our roster. As a former walk-on he doesn't tout the 5-star status that some of our other linebackers have, but he can flat out play. He plays with a lot of heart and is one of the best tacklers on defense as well as the best field goal/punt blockers on special teams.



This spring Matthews was asked to learn a new position, in addition to the multiple linebacker positions he's capable of playing. With the loss of 1st round NFL Draft selections Sedrick Ellis and Lawrence Jackson to the Trojan defensive line the coaches asked Matthews to play the defensive end position. This season Matthews is expected to see most of his playing time at the Leo spot, while also serving as Brian Cushing's backup at the Sam linebacker position. It is also possible that Matthews will see time at the Elephant position that Cushing played during the 2006 season when the Trojans played a modified 3-4 defense.



Matthew is one tough SOB, and I cant wait to this monster prowling on defense.

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Beat the Cavaliers!

Countdown to Kickoff: 47 Days

As we continue on our daily countdown towards the 2007 season, we have arrived at 47. Junior linebacker Clay Matthews will be wearing jersey number 47 for the Trojans this season...

The 6'3" 230 pound linebacker comes from a strong football pedigree. His grandfather Clay Sr. played football at Georgia Tech and in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers. His father Clay was a 4 year letterman linebacker at USC (1974-1977), a member of the 1974 national championship team, an All-American selection in 1977, and played 19 seasons in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns (1978-1993) and Atlanta Falcons (1994-1996). His uncle Bruce Matthews was an All-American offensive lineman at USC in 1982, and was a 14-time Pro Bowler in the NFL as a member of the Houston Oilers franchise.

Clay Matthews (the third) certainly has the bloodlines to be great. The former walk-on earned himself a scholarship in 2006 and should be ready to become a key contributor this season, not only on special teams (a.k.a. White Nation), but also provide solid depth at strong-side linebacker. As long as he stays away from social websites like facebook and myspace, he should be fine. Though I was not offended by Coach McNair and other USC players referring to a group of student-athletes as "white nation" (it was actually pretty amusing because I recall the days when we used to kid around with teammates about each other's race in high school), it's clear to me why it was offensive. This was something that should have been kept under wraps and was just a poor case of judgment by Matthews and Co. But we're all past that now (except for those losers at BN) and it's time to look forward to seeing this guy on the field.

Fight On!