Matt Cassel

As a senior, he was ranked as the number eight quarterback and ranked 53rd overall of the top high school players in the nation according to ESPN's Tom Lemming's Top 100.

Lemming called Cassel a "pro-style pocket passer with a very strong, accurate delivery."

In addition to playing quarterback, Cassel was also Chatsworth's punter.

Cassel committed to play at USC before starting his senior year in high school.

Cassel also had an appearance in the HBO Family program Freshman Year, a reality show in which his younger brother was one of the featured students.

Matthew Brennan Cassel (born May 17, 1982) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons.

A member of seven NFL teams, Cassel's most notable stints were with the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs.

When he was 11 years old, his family home was at the epicenter of the 1994 Northridge earthquake, which at one point trapped his father Greg under a marble column and caused water from their swimming pool to flood their house.

Their home was eventually condemned as a result, forcing the Cassel family to move.

Cassel was the starting first baseman on the Northridge baseball team that reached the finals of the 1994 Little League World Series.

Cassel attended Chatsworth High School and was a letterman, an all-city selection, and a standout in football, basketball, and baseball.

Cassel began his college career in 2001 and spent that entire Trojan career as a backup behind Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart.

He saw limited time in three games in the 2001 season.

Cassel made his lone collegiate start at H-back against California in 2001.

He was the backup for Palmer during his Heisman-winning 2002 season.

Cassel appeared in three games and completed three passes for 27 total yards.

In the fall, he lost the battle for the starting position to the previous third-string quarterback in Leinart.

As a result of Leinart's success, Cassel spent time at tight end and wide receiver in 2003, and some special teams that year.

In the 2003 season, he appeared in two games and completed 6-of-13 passes for 63 yards.

In his last season with the Trojans, Cassel was 10-of-14 for 97 yards and an interception.

During his four seasons at USC, Cassel completed 20-of-33 passes for 192 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception.

Cassel, a communication major at USC, was also roommates with Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and Carson Palmer.

Cassel played one season of baseball for USC in 2004, compiling an 0–1 record with 10 strikeouts and four walks.

He played in eight games and started one.

Cassel struck out in his only at bat in college.

He also had two saves with a 9.35 ERA, and was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 36th round of the 2004 MLB Draft.

He played college football at USC and was selected by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft.

Since retiring, Cassel has served as a television football analyst on NBC Sports Boston.

Despite having had little chance to demonstrate his skills in actual game situations at USC, Cassel earned himself a place on several NFL teams' draft boards after working out at USC's 2005 Pro Day.

One of Cassel's coaches, Norm Chow, who had left USC to become the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, had discussed signing Cassel as an undrafted free agent after the 2005 NFL Draft; Chow was surprised to learn the Patriots had drafted Cassel in the seventh round, with the 230th overall pick, ahead of more accomplished college quarterbacks such as Timmy Chang and 2003 Heisman Trophy winner Jason White.

Cassel began the 2005 season third on the Patriots' depth chart behind Tom Brady and Doug Flutie, after beating out two more veteran quarterbacks, Chris Redman and Rohan Davey.

He saw his first regular season action in the closing minutes of the Patriots' 41–17 loss to the San Diego Chargers on October 2, 2005, going 2-for-4 for 15 yards and an interception.

In the Patriots' final game of the regular season, a 28–26 loss to the Miami Dolphins on January 1, 2006, Cassel played the final three quarters.

Though he was sacked for a safety, Cassel threw two touchdowns, one to wide receiver Tim Dwight, and the second to tight end Benjamin Watson.

Cassel began his career as a backup to Tom Brady until Brady suffered a season-ending injury in the first game of 2008.

During his lone season as the Patriots' starter, Cassel helped them obtain a 11–5 record, but missed the playoffs.

He was traded to the Chiefs the following year, playing there from 2009 to 2012.

Cassel's most successful season was in 2010 when he led the Chiefs to their first division title since 2003, earning Pro Bowl honors in the process.

After leaving Kansas City, Cassel had a brief stint with the Minnesota Vikings before spending the rest of his career as a backup for the Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, and Detroit Lions.

Cassel was born in Los Angeles.