Clay Matthews was drafted No. 26 overall by the Green Bay Packers in the 2009 NFL Draft out of USC. 156 regular-season games · 10 seasons as a starter · 77 career approximate value
2009 NFL Draft · Rd 1, Pick 26 · #26 overall
Clay Matthews USC Draft
Clay Matthews was drafted No. 26 overall by the Green Bay Packers in the 2009 NFL Draft out of USC. 156 regular-season games · 10 seasons as a starter · 77 career approximate value
1× All-Pro 6× Pro Bowl
- Overall pick
- #26
- Round
- 1
- Draft class
- 2009
- NFL games
- 156
- Years as starter
- 10
- Career AV
- 7711th at USC
- Pro Bowls
- 6
- All-Pro
- 1
The pick
How Clay Matthews came off the board in 2009.
- Position
- Linebacker LB
- College
-
USC
Pac-10 at the draft
- Measurables
- 6'3" · 240 lbs
- Pre-draft board
- No. 21 prospect91.0 grade
- Side of the ball
- Defense
NFL career
156 regular-season games · 10 seasons as a starter · 77 career approximate value
- Games played
- 156
- Seasons as a starter
- 10
- Career approximate value
- 7711th among USC picks
- AV with the drafting club
- 7597% of career value
- Final season
- 201910 years after the draft
- Accolades
- 1× All-Pro · 6× Pro Bowl
Around pick 26
Who came off the board on either side of Clay Matthews.
Ole Miss
Illinois College · 2× Pro Bowl
UConn
Louisville · 1× Pro Bowl
USC in the 2009 draft
Teammates who went in the same class.
Mark Sanchez
QB · NYJ
USC
#15
Brian Cushing
LB · HOU
USC · 1× Pro Bowl
#38
Rey Maualuga
LB · CIN
USC
#56
Fili Moala
DT · IND
USC
#87
Patrick Turner
WR · MIA
USC
#104
Kaluka Maiava
LB · CLE
USC
#117
Kyle Moore
DE · TB
USC
#172
David Buehler
K · DAL
USC
#183
Cary Harris
DB · BUF
USC
#189
Kevin Ellison
LB · LAC
USC
Other LB picks from USC
The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.
USC · Hall of Fame · 6× All-Pro · 12× Pro Bowl
#3
Chip Banks
LB · CLE · 1982
USC · 1× All-Pro · 4× Pro Bowl
#45
Lofa Tatupu
LB · SEA · 2005
USC · 1× All-Pro · 3× Pro Bowl
#5
Duane Bickett
LB · IND · 1985
USC · 1× Pro Bowl
#68
Jack Del Rio
LB · NO · 1985
USC · 1× Pro Bowl
#15
Brian Cushing
LB · HOU
USC · 1× Pro Bowl
About this draft profile
Last updated Aug 24, 2026
Clay Matthews in the 2009 NFL Draft
Clay Matthews is a Linebacker out of USC selected No. 26 overall by the Green Bay Packers in the 2009 NFL Draft. 156 regular-season games · 10 seasons as a starter · 77 career approximate value USC has produced 252 NFL draft picks since 1980.
Where this data comes from
Pick order and career outcomes come from the nflverse draft archive; position, measurables, and conference at the time of the draft come from the college feed. Career columns stay empty until a player logs regular-season snaps.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Clay Matthews drafted?
Clay Matthews was selected No. 26 overall by the Green Bay Packers in the 2009 NFL Draft (Rd 1, Pick 26). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/2009/clay-matthews.
What college did Clay Matthews play for?
Clay Matthews played college football at USC in the Pac-10. See every USC draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/usc-trojans.
How did Clay Matthews's NFL career turn out?
156 regular-season games · 10 seasons as a starter · 77 career approximate value Accolades: 1× All-Pro · 6× Pro Bowl. Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/2009/clay-matthews.