Cliff Matthews - College Football

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Cliff Matthews #83

Defensive End

Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 268 pounds
Class Year: 3V
Hometown: Cheraw, SC
High School: Cheraw

2011 NFL Draft Round 7

Atlanta Falcons
Round 7
Pick 27 (230)

As a Recruit (profile)

Class: 2007 (High School)
Rating/Rankings: | 6.0

Rivals.com Rivals100 2007 (32)
Rivals.com weakside defensive ends 2007 (3)

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The Latest: Lanning, five others begin NFL dream — 7/26/2011

After nearly three months of waiting and wondering, six more South Carolina players are on their way to the NFL.[details]

Statistics

CLIFF MATTHEWS STATS	Defense
Statistics	Tack	Ast	Total	Sack	Int	Yds	IntTD	PassDef	FumRec
2010	30	14	44	5.5	0	0	0	1	0
2009	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
2008	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
2007	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
Career	30	14	44	5.5	0	0	0	1	0

GAME BY GAME STATISTICS: 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | Hide Stats

Scouting Reports

Notes: Also played basketball and competed in track and field as a South Carolina prep. Won a football state championship and was a highly recruited defensive end-tight end who chose the Gamecocks over offers from most of the major powers in the Southeast. A weak-side linebacker as a true freshman in 2007, played in all 12 games, starting the final nine when an injury forced Casper Brinkley to change position. Recorded 26 tackles, two for loss and zero sacks with a blocked punt, despite breaking a bone in his right hand prior to the LSU contest. At his natural DE position in '08, started all 13 games and notched 32-5½-3 with a pass batted down. Started 11-of-13 games in '09, producing 47-10-7 with three batted passes and three forced fumbles. Did not start in two games when the Gamecocks opened in a three-man front. Was the starter in all 14 games in '10 at defensive end, posting 44-8½-5½ with one pass batted and four forced fumbles. Team captain. Nicknamed "The Exposer" by coaches for his propensity to expose others' lack of effort.
Positives: Very long arms and has a frame with room for added bulk. Athletic with natural movement skills. Has the foot quickness of a defensive back and good speed. Terrific pursuit effort. Closes fast and is able to track down speed to the sideline. Plays with leverage and gains extension. Physical, striking tackler. Fights the double-team. Tough, intense and competitive - motor is always cranked up full tilt. Has a desirable football temperament - the game is important to him and it shows. Maintains less than 10 percent body fat and is a committed weight-room worker.
Negatives: Has a lean, narrow build and needs more time in the weight room. Lacks bulk strength to hold his ground vs. the run. Average get-off. Stiff and tight-hipped - lacks bend to dip and run the arc smoothly. Overruns some plays in space. Lets his pads rise and gets stuck on blocks. Needs to learn to generate more power. Is not a cerebral player and could require simple assignments (though he is an interested learner).
Summary: High-cut, straight-linish collegiate defensive end with a revved-up motor who plays with infectious energy, intensity and relentlessness. Is rough around the edges and is a bit of a tweener but has intriguing length, foot quickness and toughness to be considered as a stand-up linebacker in a 3-4 front such as that used by the Patriots, Jets, Steelers or Ravens. Likely will fit as a base end in a 4-3 scheme. Has an ascend factor.

NFL projection: Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

To purchase your copy of PFW's 2011 Draft Preview book, visit the PFW Store.
Scouting report provided by Pro Football Weekly.

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