Four Star DE Gets First Basketball Offer
href="http://scvarsity.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=46266">Cliff
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Matthews is one of the top prospects in the Palmetto State's class of 2007 for
football and ranked among the top defensive ends in the nation. Now the 6-5, four-star
prospect has another offer to add to his list - but its for basketball.
"High Point offered me today," Matthews told SCVarsity.com. "I was
pretty excited; it was my first offer for basketball, and I was also kind of
surprised."
The recruiting war for Matthews has been hot between South Carolina and Georgia, with
each using their basketball programs as leverage in bidding for Matthews' football
services.
"Georgia seemed like they were more serious about letting me play basketball
too," said Matthews. "While I was there, I got to meet all of the coaching staff
and they told me I had a good chance at playing there."
But Matthews seemed more impressed by the USC program overall.
"South Carolina is probably going to have the better team in basketball over the
next few years," he said. "They've got some great recruits coming in. I did get
to meet with Coach Odom and he told me he'd give me a shot at playing there."
How much will the opportunity to play basketball weigh on his decision?
"A lot," he said. "I love basketball. It won't be the only thing that
decides it for me, but it will be important."
So far this season, Matthews has collected 36 tackles, 8 for loss, and 12 sacks. He
also has one reception for 36 yards at the tight end spot.
As a junior, the 6-foot-5, 235-pound Matthews racked up 66 tackles, seven sacks, four
fumble recoveries and two interceptions on defense, and grabbed 17 balls for 210 yards and
four touchdowns on offense.
Stay tuned as we follow this SCVarsity.com Top Ten Player through his recruiting
process.