He was named to the first-team All-Pacific-10 Conference team after his junior and senior seasons. As a senior, Matthews earned consensus All-America honors and won the Morris Trophy, which is awarded to the best lineman in the conference.
Matthews was recognized as a standout player on the first-team All-Pacific-10 Conference squad during both his junior and senior years. During his senior year, he received national recognition as an All-American and claimed the Morris Trophy, which honors the top lineman in the conference.