Former USC lineman Matua dies at 28

Published Aug. 5, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Fred Matua, the former Southern California lineman who started at guard on the Trojans' 2003 and 2004 national championship teams, died Sunday. He was 28.

The school said Sunday that Matua died of a heart-related issue at White Memorial Medical Center.

Matua left USC after his junior season to enter the 2006 NFL Draft. He was selected in the seventh round by Detroit and played that season for Cleveland. He also spent time on practice squads with Tennessee and Washington and played in the United Football League.

In high school, he was a two-way player at Banning in Wilmington, Calif.

Matua is survived by 4-year-old daughter Tiamoni.