Jersey #: 1 (2004) 41 (2000-03)

Major: Technical Education (2003-04), Engineering (2001-02)

Weight: 220 (2004), 210 (2001-03), 205 (2000)

2004 Media Guide: Plays the Will (weak-side) linebacker spot behind A.J. Hawk and also plays on the special teams … has played in 24 games as a Buckeye with the majority of that time coming with the special teams … has seen 38 minutes of action entering his final season in Columbus … has six career stops, three solo.

2003 Season: Played in all 12 games for a career-high 22 minutes during the regular season and had five tackles, two of which were solos … had a solo and two assists in the season opener against Washington – his first tackles as a Buckeye.

2003 Media Guide: Thomas Matthews runs to the ball well and is a good hitter … has played in a total of 11 games the past two seasons … the majority of his playing time has come with the special teams, where he has been a solid performer … originally recruited as a linebacker, but moved to safey at the beginning of last year and back to linebacker in the spring … enters fall camp listed behind A.J. Hawk at the WILL position.

2002 Season: Saw action in seven games throughout the course of the season, but did not have any statistics … received his first letter.

2002 Media Guide: Thomas Matthews will backup All-American Michael Doss at strong safety and will play on the special teams … good athlete with size and speed working in his favor … recruited as a linebacker but was moved to safety last year … still learning the position, but has found a home in the defensive backfield and should benefit greatly from playing behind Doss … has a bright future with the Buckeyes is he continues to develop.

2001 Season: Backup safety and member of the special teams … saw limited action in four games but did not have any statistics … worked his way up to the No. 2 spot on the depth chart at the end of spring ball.

2001 Media Guide: Thomas Matthews came to Ohio State last fall as a linebacker and was redshirted … was moved to safety early in spring practice and worked his way up to the No. 2 spot on the depth chart at the end of spring ball … is still learning the position but the coaches like what they have seen in a relatively short period of time … is a good athlete, has fine speed and is a physical player … may not get the chance to play a lot this year with Doss in front of him, but will have the opportunity to understudy one of the best in college football … will definitely see action with the special teams.

2000 Season: Impressed the coaches with his speed and agility, but wound up being redshirted.

High School: Built a reputation for his speed and ability to cover sideline-to-sideline … as a senior, had five games with at least 15 tackles … recorded over 100 tackles as a junior … rated the No. 77 linebacker prospect in the nation by Rivals100.com.

Personal: His parents are Geraldine and Thomas Matthews … born Sept. 7, 1981.