Draft Information by: Years, Teams, Positions

Claude Mathews () - 1981 NFL Draft Pick #297 by HOU

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1981 NFL Draft Pre-Draft Analysis: Claude Mathews

Player Profile:

• Name: Claude Mathews
• College: University of North Carolina
• Position: Defensive Back
• Height: 6'1"
• Weight: 190 lbs

Scouting Report:

• Speed and Agility: Mathews possesses impressive speed, clocking in at a sub-4.5 second 40-yard dash. His agility allows him to change directions quickly, making him a formidable opponent in coverage.
• Coverage Skills: Known for his instinctual play, Mathews has a knack for reading quarterbacks and jumping routes. His ball skills are exceptional, with a high number of interceptions during his college career.
• Tackling: While primarily a coverage specialist, Mathews is a reliable tackler who is not afraid to step up in run support. His size and physicality enable him to take down larger ball carriers.
• Work Ethic: Coaches praise Mathews for his dedication to improvement and study of the game. His commitment to off-field training has made him a leader among teammates.

Strengths:

• Natural athleticism and speed
• Strong ball-hawking skills
• Versatile enough to play multiple positions in the secondary
• Leadership qualities on and off the field

Areas for Improvement:

• Consistency in tackling technique
• Needs to develop more physical play style against bigger receivers

Projected Draft Status:

Claude Mathews is projected to be selected in the 2nd to 4th round of the 1981 NFL Draft, with considerable interest from teams looking to bolster their secondary. His combination of size, skill, and work ethic makes him an attractive option for franchises looking to add depth and talent to their defensive backfield.

Conclusion:

With a solid college career behind him, Claude Mathews is poised to make an impact at the professional level. His athleticism and instincts should translate well to the NFL, and he has the potential to develop into a starting caliber defensive back.