Written by Christian Bateman
MARTIN COUNTY ➡️ GREENVILLE. Jordan Matthewson is officially a Pirate.
Martin County standout linebacker Jordan Matthewson made it official Sunday, announcing his commitment to play football at East Carolina University in front of friends and family.
The commitment sends one of Martin County’s most physical playmakers to Greenville, where Matthewson will have the opportunity to represent his hometown in the purple and gold. He becomes the latest Martin County product to make his way to ECU, following in the footsteps of former Pirate Purnell Griffin.
Matthewson’s rise to the collegiate level didn’t happen overnight.
As a sophomore, he began turning heads with the type of physicality that quickly became his calling card. Matthewson was a menace on the defensive side of the football, recording 55 solo tackles and an impressive 10 tackles for loss. His combination of speed, instincts, and a hunger for contact made him a problem for opposing offenses, while his athleticism even showed up on special teams with a blocked punt or field goal.
But Matthewson proved he could do much more than deliver punishment from the linebacker position.
During his junior season, he became a legitimate weapon offensively, rushing for 608 yards and finding the end zone 10 times. Whether he was hunting down ball carriers on defense or lowering his shoulder with the football in his hands, Matthewson brought the same mentality every snap:
Play fast. Play physical. Make somebody feel it.
That attitude, combined with his leadership and work ethic, helped Martin County capture the Northeastern Coastal Conference regular-season championship last season and established Matthewson as one of the driving forces behind the Gators’ success.
Now, the next chapter is waiting.
Matthewson will eventually trade the Swamp for Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, bringing the same tenacity, swagger, physicality, and chip on his shoulder that made him one of the most feared linebackers in the area.
From Martin County to Pirate Nation, Jordan Matthewson is staying in Eastern North Carolina.
And soon, he’ll be bringing that Gator mentality to Greenville.
Jordan Matthewson is committed to East Carolina. 🏴☠️💜💛