Eastern Michigan Athletics
2007 Football Roster
Sep 20 (Sat)
3:30 p.m.
Roster
Darren Matthews
- Position:
- LB
- Class:
- Senior
- Hometown:
- Redford, Mich.
- High School:
- Thurston
PERSONAL: Full Name: Darran Matthews...Son of Darran and Rosa Wilson...Born 3-19-85...Communications major... EMU: One of six true freshmen to see action in 2004, as a backup tailback...Switched to linebacker in 2005 spring drills and has started 22 of 23 games over the past two seasons...Has 164 total tackles, including 2.5 sacks for 16 yards...2006: Played in all 12 games as the SAM linebacker...Started 11 times, missing only the Louisiana Lafayette (Sept. 30) game as a starter...Finished third on the team in total tackles with 100...Finished 50th in the nation in total tackles...Had one fumble recovery, in the season finale at home against Northern Illinois (Nov. 24)...Turned in three double-figure tackle games with 10 at Michigan State (Sept. 9), 12 versus Ohio (Nov. 4) and 15 against Northern Illinois...Chosen by the coaching staff for eight single-game awards...Was named a Defensive Big Playmaker twice, for the Toledo (Oct. 21) and Kent State (Nov. 17) games...Was singled out for Championship Performances twice, against Toledo and Kent State...Earned Championship Special Teams honors twice, for the Central Michigan (Sept. 23) and Western Michigan (Oct. 28) games...Was chosen for Winning Performances twice, at Western Michigan and against Ohio (Nov. 4)...2005: Played and started all 11 games at SAM linebacker...Finished fifth on the team in tackles with 65, and recorded two forced fumbles...Selected by the coaching staff as the Defensive Big Playmaker three times, for the Cincinnati (Sept. 1), Central Michigan (Sept. 24) and Kent State (Oct. 1) games and was chosen for a Winning Performance against Ball State (Nov. 5)...2004: One of six 2004 recruits to play as a true freshman and earned his first letter...Saw action as a reserve tailback and rushed for 165 yards on 29 carries...Also caught two passes for 15 yards and returned three kickoffs for 40 yards...Rushed for one touchdown, a 66-yard run from scrimmage, at Kent State (Nov. 13)...Singled out by the coaching staff for Championship Special Teams Performance against Buffalo (Sept. 2)...HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from Redford Thurston...Two-year starter at slot back and linebacker...Caught 25 passes for 550 yards and eight touchdowns...Rushed for 680 yards and 14 touchdowns...Had a school-record 135 tackles at linebacker...Also recorded 11 tackles-for-loss, four sacks, one fumble recovery and an interception return for a 60-yard touchdown...Chosen to play on the East squad in the Michigan High School Coaches Association All-Star Game at Michigan State University in July 2004...Honors: The Detroit News: No. 59 on Blue Chip list...First-team All-West...Honorable mention All-Metro...Detroit Free Press: First-team All-West...Honorable mention All-State...No. 47 on Mick McCabe’s Fab 50 list of top state of Michigan recruits...Associated Press: Named Class B honorable mention All-State.
