A 135-tackle breakout season at Old Dominion set up Wayne Matthews III's move to Michigan State and, eventually, an undrafted signing with Chicago.
Wayne Matthews III turned a monster junior season at Old Dominion into a transfer opportunity at Michigan State and, after going unselected in the 2026 draft, a minicamp invite that turned into a contract with the Bears. The Maryland native now joins a crowded Chicago linebacker room that includes T.J. Edwards, Devin Bush and Noah Sewell as he fights for a spot on the 90-man roster.
Path to the league
A three-star recruit out of Charles Herbert Flowers High School in Springdale, Maryland, Matthews began his career at Old Dominion, redshirting in 2021 before working into the lineup over the next two seasons. He transferred to Michigan State after the 2023 season and went undrafted in 2026 before earning a Bears minicamp invite that led to a contract.
Career highlights
Matthews' best college season came as a junior at Old Dominion in 2023, when he recorded 135 tackles, 9.5 for loss, 3.5 sacks, three pass deflections and three forced fumbles, earning third-team All-Sun Belt honors. Across two seasons at Michigan State, he appeared in 21 games and totaled 106 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one interception and one fumble recovery.
2025 season recap
Matthews closed out his college career at Michigan State in 2025 after two seasons with the Spartans. He went unselected in the 2026 NFL Draft but made enough of an impression at the Bears' rookie minicamp to sign with Chicago on May 11, 2026, and now wears number 35 on the active roster.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Wayne Matthews (American football)
- 247Sports: Undrafted Michigan State LB Wayne Matthews getting a shot at Chicago Bears minicamp
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Linebacker
- Group
- defense
- College
- Michigan State
- Hometown
- Largo, MD, USA
- Age
- 24
- Status
- active
