Matt Overton

Matt Overton
refer to caption
Overton with the Colts in 2016
Personal information
Born: (1985-07-06) July 6, 1985 (age 39)
San Leandro, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:254 lb (115 kg)
Career information
High school:Tracy (Tracy, California)
College:
Position:Long snapper
Undrafted:2007
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Games played:139
Total tackles:26
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Matthew Thomas Overton (born July 6, 1985) is an American professional football long snapper who is a free agent. He played college football at Western Washington after graduating from Diablo Valley College, and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL) in 2007.

In between stints with the Seahawks, Overton played for the Tri-Cities Fever of the af2 in 2008 and the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League in 2009. After his release from the Seahawks in 2010, he rejoined the UFL but as a member of the Omaha Nighthawks. In 2010, he was named to the UFL's top-10 players list, earning him the recognition as the league's top long snapper. He later played for the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers, and Dallas Cowboys of the NFL.

He made the Pro Bowl with the Colts in 2013.

Early life

Overton attended Tracy High School in Tracy, California[1] where he was a two-way starter for four years for the Bulldogs football team. He earned Lineman of the Year, player of the month, athlete of the month awards, and 2002 SJAA honorable mention honors. Despite these accolades, Overton was not offered any scholarships coming out of high school and opted to attend Diablo Valley College, a junior college in Pleasant Hill, California.

College career

Overton began his college football career at Diablo Valley College. In his time with DVC, Overton earned Special Teams MVP and Team Captain honors. He soon began to receive scholarship offers to 4-year institutions, and accepted an offer to attend Western Washington University. At Western Washington, he was a team captain and two-year starter at defensive end and long snapper. As the starting defensive end, he recorded over 40 tackles, 5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble and 7 pass break-ups.

Professional career

Early career

Overton played for the Tri-Cities Fever of the af2 in 2008. He played for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League in 2009 and helped them to an undefeated season and appeared in the first UFL championship. He was re-signed by the Seattle Seahawks on February 10, 2010.[2] After being released by the Seahawks during training camp, he signed with the Omaha Nighthawks of the UFL for his second season. Overton was named to the UFL top-10 players list in 2010. He was protected by the Nighthawks for the 2011 season.

Indianapolis Colts

Overton (left) and Adam Vinatieri (right) at the Colts training camp in 2015

On April 3, 2012, Overton signed with the Indianapolis Colts. Used primarily as a long snapper, he was named to the Pro Bowl in 2013.[3] On March 3, 2015, Overton signed a four-year extension with the Colts.[4] The Colts released him on May 1, 2017.[5][6]

Jacksonville Jaguars

Overton was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 3, 2017, after Carson Tinker suffered a torn ACL.[7] On November 14, 2017, following the team's Week 10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, Overton was placed on injured reserve with a dislocated shoulder.[8]

On October 11, 2018, Overton was re-signed by the Jaguars after Carson Tinker suffered another knee injury.[9]

On March 7, 2019, Overton re-signed with the Jaguars.[10] He was released on September 1, 2019.[11]

Los Angeles Chargers (first stint)

On November 15, 2019, Overton was signed by the Los Angeles Chargers, but was released three days later.[12]

Tennessee Titans

On October 12, 2020, Overton was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad.[13] He was elevated to the active roster on November 7, November 12, and November 21 for the team's weeks 9, 10, and 11 games against the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, and Baltimore Ravens, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.[14][15][16] On November 28, 2020, Overton was promoted to the active roster.[17]

Los Angeles Chargers (second stint)

On August 16, 2021, Overton signed with the Chargers.[18]

Los Angeles Rams

On September 13, 2022, Overton signed with the practice squad of the Los Angeles Rams.[19] He was released on September 20.[20]

Dallas Cowboys

On October 4, 2022, Overton was signed by the Dallas Cowboys' to the practice squad, to compete with long snapper Tucker Addington.[21] On October 15, 2022, Overton was promoted to the active roster to replace Jake McQuaide, who was lost for the year with a torn left tricep.[22] He wasn't re-signed after the season.

Chicago Bears

On January 3, 2024, Overton was signed to the Chicago Bears practice squad after Patrick Scales was injured.[23] He was not signed to a reserve/future contract after the season and thus became a free agent.[24]

Miami Dolphins

On October 19, 2024, Overton was signed to the Miami Dolphins practice squad.[25] On October 28, 2024, Overton started as long snapper in the game against the Arizona Cardinals. On November 5, 2024, Overton was released by the Dolphins.[26]

NFL career statistics

Year Team Games
2012 IND 16
2013 IND 16
2014 IND 16
2015 IND 16
2016 IND 16
2017 JAX 9
2018 JAX 11
2020 TEN 9
2021 LAC 17
2022 DAL 13
Career 139

Personal life

Overton is a Christian. He is married to Breanna Overton. They have two daughters together.[27]

Overton runs his own youth charity foundation called Pros 2 Youth and owns and operates a small business with his former Nighthawks teammates Maurice Clarett and Chad Lucas called Led By Pros. Led By Pros is located in Omaha, Nebraska and offers a youth football academy and helps young athletes to succeed in life and in sport.

References

  1. ^ Inman, Ethan. "Matt Overton and his Tracy High Football Legacy". Scholar & Athlete. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  2. ^ Rosenthal, Gregg (April 29, 2010). "Seahawks bring back Matt Overton". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
  3. ^ Bowen, Kevin (January 15, 2014). "Matt Overton Headed to the Pro Bowl". Colts.com. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  4. ^ Bowen, Kevin (March 3, 2015). "Colts, Matt Overton Agree To Contract Extension". colts.com. Archived from the original on November 25, 2017. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  5. ^ VanTryon, Matthew (May 1, 2017). "Colts release long snapper Matt Overton". indystar.com. Indystar. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  6. ^ "Indianapolis Colts Make Roster Moves". Blogs.Colts.com. May 1, 2017. Archived from the original on May 2, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  7. ^ "Jaguars Make Roster Moves". Jaguars.com. August 3, 2017. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017.
  8. ^ "Jaguars sign long snapper Colin Holba to active roster". Jaguars.com. November 14, 2017.
  9. ^ "Jaguars Sign Long Snapper Matt Overton". Jaguars.com. October 12, 2018.
  10. ^ Oehser, John (March 7, 2019). "Jaguars re-sign LS Overton". Jaguars.com.
  11. ^ Oehser, John (September 1, 2019). "Roster moves: Jaguars make four waiver claims". Jaguars.com.
  12. ^ "Chargers sign LS Matt Overton, place Cortez Broughton on NFI". Chargers Wire. USA Today. November 15, 2019.
  13. ^ "Titans add LS Matt Overton to practice squad". Titans Wire. USA Today. October 12, 2020.
  14. ^ Wyatt, Jim (November 7, 2020). "Titans Make 12 Roster Moves Before Sunday's Game vs Bears". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  15. ^ Bouda, Nate (November 12, 2020). "Titans Promote P Trevor Daniel & LS Matt Overton". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  16. ^ Wyatt, Jim (November 21, 2020). "Titans Make Several Roster Moves Leading up to Sunday's Game vs Ravens". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  17. ^ Wyatt, Jim (November 28, 2020). "Titans Activate Punter Brett Kern from Injured Reserve, While Also Activating LB David Long from Reserve/COVID-19 List". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  18. ^ "Chargers Sign Matt Overton". Chargers.com. August 16, 2021.
  19. ^ "Rams sign long snapper to practice squad, make 2 other roster moves". USAToday.com. September 13, 2022.
  20. ^ @RamsNFL (September 20, 2022). "LA Rams Transactions: • Reserve/Injured T Tremayne Anchrum Jr., DB Troy Hill • Signed G Oday Aboushi to Active Roster • Signed to Practice Squad DE Zach VanValkenburg • Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad LS Matt Overton • Waived/Injury Settlement DB Daniel Isom" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  21. ^ "How Cowboys Will Handle Deep Snapper Position". DallasCowboys.com. October 5, 2022.
  22. ^ "Cowboys move 2 to IR, add RB to 54-man roster vs Eagles for Week 6". Cowboys Wire. October 15, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  23. ^ Wilson, Jordan. "Bears Bring in Former Pro Bowl Specialist for Roster Workout". Heavy. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  24. ^ Mayer, Larry (January 8, 2024). "Roster Moves: Bears sign 10 to reserve/future contracts". ChicagoBears.com.
  25. ^ "Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. October 19, 2024.
  26. ^ "Miami Dolphins Release Overton From Practice Squad". MiamiDolphins.com. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  27. ^ Claybourn, Cole (August 18, 2021). "Long snapper Matt Overton lives by 'stay ready' motto, joins Chargers and thanks God". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved October 8, 2022.