Matthew Thomas Overton Bio
Matthew Thomas Overton is an American professional football long snapper who has built a durable career in the National Football League since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2007. Born in San Leandro, California, Overton carved out a niche as one of the most reliable long snappers in professional football, earning Pro Bowl recognition with the Indianapolis Colts in 2013. His career spans numerous NFL franchises, demonstrating his value as a specialized special teams player. Beyond football, Overton is known for his charitable efforts through his Pros 2 Youth foundation and his work operating Led By Pros, a youth football academy in Omaha, Nebraska.
Early Life and Background
Overton grew up in Tracy, California, where he attended Tracy High School. During his high school career, he was a two-way starter for four years on the Bulldogs football team. His performance earned him Lineman of the Year honors, player of the month awards, and athlete of the month recognition. Despite these accolades, Overton did not receive any scholarship offers upon graduating from high school in 2002. This led him to pursue his football career at the junior college level.
Path to Long Snapper
Overton began his college football journey at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, California. At DVC, he quickly established himself as a standout special teams player, earning Special Teams MVP honors and serving as team captain. His strong performance attracted attention from four-year universities, leading him to accept a scholarship to Western Washington University. At Western Washington, Overton continued his dual role as both a defensive end and long snapper. He served as team captain and recorded over 40 tackles, 5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, and 7 pass break-ups during his collegiate career.
Matthew Thomas Overton Career
Early Career (2007–2011)
Overton entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Seattle Seahawks in 2007. His time with Seattle was brief that season, leading him to explore other opportunities. In 2008, he played for the Tri-Cities Fever in the af2 league. The following year, Overton joined the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League, helping the team achieve an undefeated regular season and a spot in the UFL championship game.
Overton returned to the Seattle Seahawks in 2010 but was released during training camp. He subsequently signed with the Omaha Nighthawks of the UFL. His exceptional performance in 2010 earned him recognition on the UFL’s top-10 players list, establishing him as the league’s premier long snapper. The Nighthawks protected him for the 2011 season, further solidifying his reputation in the professional football ranks.
Indianapolis Colts Breakthrough (2012–2016)
On April 3, 2012, Overton signed with the Indianapolis Colts, marking the beginning of his most successful NFL tenure. Used primarily as the team’s long snapper, he quickly became a reliable asset on special teams. His consistent performance culminated in his selection to the Pro Bowl in 2013, representing the Colts in the league’s all-star game. On March 3, 2015, Overton signed a four-year contract extension with Indianapolis, demonstrating the team’s confidence in his abilities. However, the Colts released him on May 1, 2017, ending his five-year stint with the franchise.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2017–2018)
Overton joined the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 3, 2017, following an injury to Carson Tinker. His tenure was interrupted by a dislocated shoulder that landed him on injured reserve after Week 10 of that season. He was re-signed by the Jaguars in October 2018 after Tinker suffered another knee injury. Overton returned to Jacksonville for the 2019 season but was released on September 1 of that year.
Later NFL Journeys (2019–Present)
Overton’s career continued with several brief stints across the league. He was signed to the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad in November 2019 but was released three days later. In October 2020, he joined the Tennessee Titans practice squad, eventually earning promotion to the active roster in November. Overton returned to the Chargers in August 2021. The 2022 season saw him sign with the Los Angeles Rams practice squad before joining the Dallas Cowboys, where he was promoted to the active roster to replace injured Jake McQuaide. In January 2024, Overton signed with the Chicago Bears practice squad following Patrick Scales’s injury. On October 19, 2024, he joined the Miami Dolphins practice squad and made his season debut as starting long snapper against the Arizona Cardinals on October 28.
Snapping Style and Strengths
Overton has built his NFL career on consistency and reliability as a long snapper. His ability to deliver accurate snaps on punts, field goals, and extra points has kept him employed across 14 different NFL franchises over 17-plus seasons. His experience spanning multiple systems and coaching staffs demonstrates his adaptability and football intelligence. Overton’s durability and consistent technique have made him a trusted option for teams seeking stability at the long snapper position.
Notable Events and Milestones
The highlight of Overton’s career came in 2013 when he was selected to the Pro Bowl while playing for the Indianapolis Colts, recognizing him as one of the best long snappers in the league. As of the 2024 season, he had appeared in 142 NFL games, recording 26 tackles. His journey through numerous teams reflects both the specialized nature of his position and his enduring value to NFL franchises seeking experienced long snappers.
Matthew Thomas Overton Career Wins
Overton’s career has been defined by consistent special teams excellence rather than statistical achievements typically associated with skill positions. His Pro Bowl selection in 2013 stands as his most significant professional honor.
Pro Bowl Recognition
The defining achievement of Overton’s career remains his Pro Bowl selection in 2013 while serving as the Indianapolis Colts’ long snapper. This recognition placed him among the league’s elite special teams players that season. His consistent snapping accuracy and reliability were instrumental in the Colts’ special teams operation during his five seasons in Indianapolis.
Other Notable Performances
Beyond his Pro Bowl honor, Overton played a key role in the Florida Tuskers’ undefeated 2009 season in the United Football League, appearing in the championship game. His inclusion on the UFL’s top-10 players list in 2010 further cemented his standing as the league’s top long snapper during that era.
Matthew Thomas Overton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Not applicable for this athlete.
Personal Life
Overton is married to Breanna Overton, and together they have two daughters. His faith is an important aspect of his life, as he identifies as a Christian. Outside of football, Overton demonstrates commitment to community service through his Pros 2 Youth foundation, which supports young people in developing their athletic and life skills. He also co-owns and operates Led By Pros, a youth football academy located in Omaha, Nebraska, alongside former teammates Maurice Clarett and Chad Lucas. The academy aims to help young athletes succeed both in sports and in life.
2025 Season Performance
As Overton enters the 2025 season, he continues his pursuit of NFL opportunities as a veteran long snapper. His recent stint with the Miami Dolphins in 2024, which ended with his release in November, demonstrates that he remains in the league’s talent pool for teams seeking experienced special teams depth. At 40 years old, Overton brings nearly two decades of professional football experience to any organization that values consistency and reliability at the long snapper position.