Matt Overton Bio
Matthew Thomas Overton, born on July 6, 1985, in San Leandro, California, is an American professional football long snapper with a career that has spanned more than fifteen years across multiple leagues. After playing college football at Western Washington University, Overton entered the National Football League (NFL) in 2007 as an undrafted free agent signed by the Seattle Seahawks. Throughout his career, he has played for several NFL franchises and is best known for his long-tenured stint with the Indianapolis Colts, where he earned Pro Bowl honors in 2013.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing approximately 245 pounds, Overton has built a reputation as a reliable specialist and a respected locker room presence. Beyond football, he has remained active in community outreach, founding a youth charity called Pros 2 Youth and co-owning a small business with former teammates.
Early Life and Background
Matt Overton grew up in the San Leandro area of Northern California before his family moved to Tracy, a Central Valley city southeast of the Bay Area. He attended Tracy High School, where he became a two-way starter for four years on the Bulldogs football team. Overton earned Lineman of the Year, Player of the Month, and Athlete of the Month honors during his high school career, along with a 2002 San Joaquin Athletic Association (SJAA) honorable mention. Despite those accolades, he was not offered any college scholarships out of high school, which led him to pursue football at the junior college level.
Following his graduation from Tracy High School, Overton enrolled at Diablo Valley College, a community college located in Pleasant Hill, California. There he developed into a recognized leader and specialist, earning Special Teams MVP and Team Captain honors. His play at Diablo Valley eventually attracted scholarship offers from four-year institutions, and he transferred to Western Washington University to continue his football career.
Path to the NFL
Overton began his college football career at Diablo Valley College, where his work on special teams helped him earn recognition and attract attention from four-year programs. After accepting a scholarship to Western Washington University, he became a team captain and a two-year starter at both defensive end and long snapper. On defense, he recorded more than 40 tackles, 5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, and 7 pass breakups, demonstrating the kind of athleticism that would later serve him well in the specialist phase of the game.
Although Overton went undrafted in 2007, his ability as a long snapper earned him an opportunity with the Seattle Seahawks. That signing launched a professional journey that would take him through the NFL, the Arena Football League’s af2, and the United Football League, ultimately establishing him as one of the more enduring specialists of his generation.
Matt Overton Career
Early Career (2007–2010)
Overton signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2007, beginning his professional career. After his initial release, he spent the 2008 season with the Tri-Cities Fever of the af2 arena football league. In 2009, he joined the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League (UFL) and contributed to an undefeated regular season, appearing in the league’s first championship game.
The Seattle Seahawks re-signed Overton on February 10, 2010, but he was released during that year’s training camp. He quickly landed with the Omaha Nighthawks of the UFL, where he was named to the UFL top-10 players list for the 2010 season, earning recognition as the league’s top long snapper.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2012–2016)
Overton’s most defining professional chapter began on April 3, 2012, when he signed with the Indianapolis Colts. Used primarily as the team’s long snapper, he provided steady play on field goals and punts for several seasons. In 2013, his consistent and accurate snapping earned him selection to the Pro Bowl, the most prestigious individual honor of his career.
On March 3, 2015, Overton signed a four-year extension with the Colts, cementing his role as a long-term fixture in Indianapolis. The Colts ultimately released him on May 1, 2017, ending a five-season tenure that remains the longest single-team stretch of his professional career.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2017–2019)
Overton joined the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 3, 2017, after long snapper Carson Tinker suffered a torn ACL. His season ended prematurely when he was placed on injured reserve on November 14, 2017, following a dislocated shoulder sustained after a Week 10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Jaguars re-signed Overton on October 11, 2018, after Tinker suffered another knee injury. He signed a new deal with the team on March 7, 2019, but was released on September 1, 2019, as Jacksonville reshaped its roster ahead of the regular season.
Los Angeles Chargers and Tennessee Titans Era (2019–2021)
Overton signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on November 15, 2019, but was released three days later. He returned to the Chargers on August 16, 2021, for a second stint with the franchise.
Between his Chargers stints, Overton joined the Tennessee Titans practice squad on October 12, 2020. He was elevated to the active roster on November 7, 12, and 21 for games against the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, and Baltimore Ravens before being promoted to the active roster on November 28, 2020.
Los Angeles Rams and Dallas Cowboys Era (2022)
Overton signed with the Los Angeles Rams practice squad on September 13, 2022, but was released on September 20. He later joined the Dallas Cowboys practice squad on October 4, 2022, to compete with long snapper Tucker Addington. On October 15, 2022, he was promoted to the active roster after Jake McQuaide was lost for the season with a torn left tricep.
Chicago Bears Era (2023–2024)
Overton signed with the Chicago Bears practice squad on January 3, 2024, after long snapper Patrick Scales was injured. He was not offered a reserve or future contract at season’s end, making him a free agent.
Miami Dolphins Era (2024)
On October 19, 2024, Overton signed with the Miami Dolphins practice squad. He started as long snapper against the Arizona Cardinals on October 28, 2024, before being released by the Dolphins on November 5, 2024.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a long snapper, Overton’s value has always rested on accuracy, consistency, and the ability to deliver the ball cleanly on punts and placekicks under pressure. His background as a defensive end at Western Washington, where he recorded sacks and tackles for loss, gave him the athleticism and field awareness that helped him thrive in the specialist role.
Notable Events and Milestones
Overton’s most prominent milestone came in 2013, when he was named to the Pro Bowl during his tenure with the Indianapolis Colts. Earlier in his career, he helped the Florida Tuskers post an undefeated season and reach the inaugural UFL championship game, and he was recognized as the UFL’s top long snapper after being named to the league’s top-10 players list in 2010.
Matt Overton Career Wins
While long snappers are rarely recognized in traditional win-loss statistics, Overton has been part of winning efforts throughout his NFL career, particularly during his Indianapolis Colts years, which included a Pro Bowl selection in 2013. He has also contributed to successful campaigns in other leagues, including an undefeated regular season with the Florida Tuskers in 2009.
NFL Career Highlights
Overton’s signature achievement remains his 2013 Pro Bowl selection with the Indianapolis Colts. He played in meaningful games with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, and Miami Dolphins, contributing as a steady specialist across more than a decade of NFL service.
Matt Overton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Matt Overton grew up in a Northern California household and attended Tracy High School, where he developed into a two-way football starter. His family supported his athletic path from youth through college, helping him pursue football at Diablo Valley College and later at Western Washington University.
Personal Life
Overton is a Christian. He is married to Breanna Overton, and the couple has two daughters. He runs the Pros 2 Youth foundation, a charitable initiative focused on mentoring young people, and co-owns Led By Pros, a small business in Omaha, Nebraska, that operates a youth football academy. The business is run with former Omaha Nighthawks teammates Maurice Clarett and Chad Lucas.
2025 Season Performance
Matt Overton was released by the Miami Dolphins on November 5, 2024, after starting one game as the team’s long snapper. As a veteran free agent following the 2024 season, his status entering 2025 depends on whether an NFL team signs him to provide experienced depth at the long snapper position.
Throughout his career, Overton has been valued for his durability and immediate readiness when called upon, often signing midseason with teams in need of specialist help. That pattern of late-season opportunities could continue into 2025 if clubs face injuries or roster turnover at the long snapper spot.
Beyond potential playing opportunities, Overton remains active with his Pros 2 Youth foundation and the Led By Pros youth football academy, projects that continue to shape his post-football identity and community presence.