USC’s Matthews doing double duty on defense

Clay Matthews arrived at USC as a walk-on hoping to just make the squad and perhaps find a role on special teams.

Nearly four years later, he is spending spring practice playing two positions for a defense that will enter the 2008 season regarded as, potentially, one of college football’s best.

Matthews, a senior from Agoura, already is well-versed at strong-side linebacker, where he will again back up Brian Cushing. So he is working extensively with the defensive line, playing the “elephant” rush-end position that Cushing filled two years ago when the Trojans had a surplus of talented linebackers.

“It’s real natural for me because I’m just using my speed and coming off the edge,” Matthews said after practice Friday. “I like it because it’s just pin my ears back and turn me loose.”

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Matthews sits in on meetings for both linebackers and defensive linemen. His work with the linemen has allowed sophomore Michael Morgan to get more work at the strong-side spot.

Matthews, the son of former Trojans All-American linebacker Clay Sr., redshirted in 2004 and played on special teams as a freshman in 2005. He earned a scholarship before the 2006 season and has been a valuable reserve the last two seasons.

Matthews started two games in 2007 and hopes to significantly increase that number this season.

“It’s fun to see where I came in,” he said. “I couldn’t say I expected this or even saw this coming, but I’m enjoying it.”

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Quarterbacks Mark Sanchez and Mitch Mustain are looking forward to Sunday’s scrimmage after mostly playing well during a no-pads practice.

Sanchez continued to take most of the first-unit snaps.

“It’s all I expect and my play needs to dictate that as well,” said Sanchez, who had a pass intercepted by safety Taylor Mays after it tipped off the hands of tight end Anthony McCoy.

Mustain had a pass intercepted by safety Marshall Jones.

Quarterback Aaron Corp ended practice with a touchdown pass to receiver Garrett Green.

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The Trojans spent extra time in special teams drills and the results were not always pretty.

Two consecutive punts were blocked as the Trojans continue to search for a snapper to replace Will Collins.

“We’ve had such great experience as we’ve transitioned over the years – this is not our best spot right now,” Coach Pete Carroll said. “We’ll get it worked out. We have plenty of time.”

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Joe McKnight (hip), linebacker Rey Maualuga (hamstring) receiver Damian Williams (foot) did not practice and their status for the scrimmage will be determined Sunday, Carroll said… . The annual “Trojan Huddle” spring scrimmage April 19 at the Coliseum will begin at 11 a.m., and will include an autograph session. General admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the gate, online at USCTrojans.com or by calling the USC Ticket Office at (213) 740-4672. USC students and children 12 and under will be admitted free.

gary.klein@latimes.com