University of South Alabama Athletics

Jaguar Highlights: Was not able to participate in spring practice, but enters the year listed as the team’s backup left guard.

As A Sophomore (2014): Appeared in 11 of 13 games ... Took part in 43 plays in season-opening victory at Kent State ... Was on the field for another 42 the following week against Mississippi State in the home opener, posting four knockdown blocks.

As A Redshirt Freshman (2013): Saw action in each of the final 10 contests, grading out at 95 percent for the season ... On the field for a season-high 18 snaps in Homecoming win over Kent State, earning a 92 percent mark to go along with a pair of knockdown blocks ... Received perfect scores following wins over Louisiana-Monroe and Georgia State while participating on 11 and 12 plays, respectively ... Took part in 14 snaps in season-ending win over Sun Belt Conference co-champion Louisiana-Lafayette ... Also credited with two knockdowns at Navy ... Named to the Sun Belt Conference Commissioner’s List.

As A Freshman (2012): Sat out the year as a redshirt ... A member of the Sun Belt Conference Academic Honor Roll.

High School Highlights: Ranked by ESPN.com as the 13th-best center in the country and 40th overall in Alabama, earning three stars from the organization ... ESPN.com’s top-rated center in the state ... A two-star recruit according to both Rivals.com and Scout.com; the latter rated him 25th among all centers nationally ... Lettered three years at Auburn HS, helping the team to a 29-5 mark in his time on the varsity ... The Tigers shared the region championship his senior season, finishing the year 8-2 overall after advancing to the state 6A playoffs ... A two-time first-team all-area selection by the Opelika-Auburn News, he was also named honorable mention all-state as a senior ... Selected second-team all-state by Scout.com that year as well ... Graded out at 91 percent while recording 79 knockdown blocks his final season ...AHS went 8-2 and qualified for postseason play when he was a junior ... Tigers advanced to the semifinals of the state playoffs his sophomore season, ending up 13-1 ... Also lettered in basketball at AHS.

Personal: Full name is Clay Michael Machen ... Born Sept. 13, 1993, in Birmingham, Ala. ... Son of Mike and Polly Machen ... Grandfather, Don Machen, was a running back at Auburn from 1959-61 ... Favorite movie is “Remember The Titans” ... Favorite teams are the New York Knicks, Jets and Yankees ... Favorite athletes are Amare Stoudemire, Kevin Garnett and Carmelo Anthony ... Favorite musical acts are Eminem, T.I. and Lil Wayne ... Favorite food is steak ... Favorite subject is history ... Would like to become a coach ... Also received offers from UAB and Memphis, and was recruited by Auburn, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Georgia Tech too ... A management major.