Note: The following appears in the LSU football gameday program.
In high school, Levi Matthews was recruited by schools like Dartmouth and Butler, but he knew where he wanted to go. Growing up, his fall Saturdays consisted of wearing orange and cheering on the Tigers. In 2022, he earned the opportunity to join the program as a walk-on, but he understood that it would not come without challenges.
“I knew I needed to keep my head down and had to keep working,” he said on his experience walking on.
Matthews knew he had to wait to get his number called, but also recognized that Clemson was the right place to better himself “as a player and a person in totality.” He contributed on the scout team while redshirting that season and saw game action the next season.
In 2023, he earned his first playing time. He played with the special teams and saw his first snaps in the home opener against Charleston Southern.
“That was an amazing moment for me,” recalled Matthews on his debut. “It was a surreal moment to be out there in front of the fans in Death Valley.”
He went on to see the field again against Florida Atlantic that season.
In the 2024 season, he played against App State and made an impact during a moment he will never forget. A deflected pass looked destined to hit the ground until Matthews plucked it out of the air for his first interception. Matthews still remembers the roar of the crowd deep into the fourth quarter of the 66-20 victory. Memorial Stadium is known for its raucous crowds and deafening environments, and that night was no different.
“No matter how deep into the game you are, the crowd is still there cheering you on,” explained #92. “That’s what I love about Death Valley and our fans. It’s electric.”
On the field, Matthews thrives from the roar of the crowd, but off the turf, he is focused on a different field. Earlier this month, he walked across the stage after earning his first Clemson degree in business management.
This year, Matthews is working towards an MBA while learning the ropes of sports broadcasting. He has been shadowing Clemson Director of Broadcasting Don Munson and has had the opportunity to watch the operation from the radio booth. He has put on the headset for both Tiger basketball and baseball games and has found a passion for commentary.
The past two summers, Matthews has completed microinternships through P.A.W. Journey with the NFL and Cisco, but “play-by-play broadcasting is the dream,” said Matthews about his post-college plans.
Matthews’ excitement for his future career is contagious, and he is eager to put the headset on once again. He has developed a special relationship with Munson, who has “always wanted to help” the junior defensive end.
“I’m so appreciative to learn from Don Munson and am excited for any opportunity he’s willing to give me.”
Matthews has joined Munson in the booth to learn his way around a broadcast from someone who has been around the industry for over 40 years and has covered Clemson athletics since 1994.
He is looking to build upon what he has already learned and the connections he has already made in Clemson, saying it is the first place he wants to develop.
“Clemson is such a great place and it has so many opportunities.”
One day, he will call a walk-on’s first interception, just like Munson did for his.
