Matt Shaughnessy

Shaughnessy is the kind of player you could envision stepping out on the field in a leather helmet playing for George Halas. He's overcome doubters to prove he can play on the defensive line as a 230-pound freshman, only to start seven games before a late-season knee injury. As a sophomore, he made a rapid recovery from knee surgery and would start the final 33 games of his career. He continued to battle knee and foot injuries, but when he was counted out, Shaughnessy would just put on his jersey, step on the field and give his coaches more than they could ever ask for from a player. At Norwich Free Academy, Shaughnessy earned Super Prep All-American honors and was rated one of the top 30 defensive ends in the nation according to Rivals.com. He was rated one of top 35 players in the East by Prep Football Report and named to the Connecticut High School Coaches Association and New Haven Register All-State teams in 2004. He also earned All-Conference and All-Area accolades in each of his three final seasons, adding three more letters in basketball and two in track. Shaughnessy enrolled at Wisconsin as a 230-pound true freshman in 2005. He earned Freshman All-American recognition and was named All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention. In his first campaign with the Badgers, he collected 39 tackles (20 solos), 2.5 sacks and 7.5 stops for losses before his season came to an end when he suffered a torn ligament in his left knee vs. Iowa, sitting out the last two contests. As a sophomore, Shaughnessy garnered All-Big Ten Conference second-team honors. He started all year at right defensive end, delivering 35 tackles (19 solo) and eight stops behind the line of scrimmage, including four sacks. He also caused and recovered a fumble. Shaughnessy ranked fourth in the league and 19th nationally, as the team MVP and second-team All-Big Ten pick totaled 18 stops for loss. He was second on the team with five sacks and posted a career-high 60 tackles (41 solo) in 13 games as a junior in 2007. His tackle-for-loss total of 84 yards rank eighth on the school season-record list. In 2008 spring camp, Shaughnessy suffered a right fibula fracture. Even though he started all year, you could see early in the season that he was still not fully recovered. The All-Big Ten honorable mention managed 40 tackles (29 solo), but did more chasing down the opposing quarterback (10 pressures) than "close the deal" on the passer (four sacks).

positives

Has the length to gain the edge off the line. Defeats cut blocks with his hands and presents trouble for quarterbacks trying to get a pass over his extended arms. Better than expected at holding his ground on running plays despite his build. Can rip off his man to get into the backfield or get off blocks to wrap up ballcarriers coming through the hole.

compares to

JOHN ENGELBERGER, ex Denver -- Shaughnessy needs to be in the right system, one in which he doesn't have to worry about gap penetration and just play out on the edge. With that reach of his, combined with good leaping ability, he can create problems for shorter passers trying to get the ball over the defender's head. He needs to add more bulk and improve his lower-body strength before he can contribute as part of a defensive rotation.

negatives

Lacks explosion and doesn't seem to beat any offensive tackle off the snap. Gets pushed aside by stronger right tackles when lined up on the right side, where he played as a junior due to a lack of team depth. Only adequate in changing direction when standing up, and takes time to accelerate, making it harder for him to corral quick players on the edge.

2006: Suffered a left knee anterior cruciate ligament tear vs. Iowa (11/12), missing the Hawaii (11/25) and Auburn (1/02/06) contests. 2008: Suffered a right fibula fracture in spring camp.

Combine: 4.88 in the 40-yard dash

1.69 10-yard dash

2.81 20-yard dash

4.88 20-yard shuttle

7.68 three-cone drill

30.5-inch vertical jump

9'4" broad jump

Bench pressed 225 pounds 24 times

35 5/8-inch arm length

10 3/4-inch hands.

Attended Norwich (Ct.) Free Academy, playing football for head coach Steve Robichaud

Earned Super Prep All-American honors and was rated one of the top 30 defensive ends in the nation according to Rivals.com

Rated one of top 35 players in the East by Prep Football Report and named to the Connecticut High School Coaches Association and New Haven Register All-State teams in 2004

Earned All-Conference and All-Area accolades in each of his three final seasons, adding three more letters in basketball and two in track.

Sociology major

Grandfather, James Shaughnessy, played football at Arnold College

Son of Famatta and Kevin Shaughnessy

Born 9/23/86

Resides in Norwich, Connecticut.