Matthew Stafford was born in Tampa, Florida to John and Margaret Stafford. He lived in Dunwoody, Georgia while his father attended graduate school at the University of Georgia. Matthew Stafford's family then moved to Dallas, Texas, where Matthew Stafford attended Highland Park High School, (the alma mater of Bobby Layne and Doak Walker), and where he was widely considered to be one of the best high school quarterbacks in the United States in the class of 2006.
Matthew Stafford made his varsity debut in the 2002 playoffs against Sulphur Springs High. Matthew Stafford first varsity start was against the Stephenville Yellow Jackets in 2003, and he led the Highland Park Scots to a 13-2 record that season. He threw for 3,161 yards, 38 TDs and 5 INTs. After a disappointing junior season in which he threw for only 1,748 yards, 18 TDs and 11 INTs, Matthew Stafford quit the baseball team to concentrate on football. In the summer of 2005, he injured his knee during summer workouts and had to miss the first two games of the season. After coming back from his injury, Matthew Stafford led his team to a 15-0 record and threw for 4,018 yards, 38 touchdowns and 6 interceptions in winning the Texas UIL 4-A Division 1 state football championship, Highland Park's first state football championship in 48 years. Matthew Stafford is the only quarterback in Highland Park history to lead his team to a 15-0 season.
Matthew Stafford received numerous accolades including being named to the Parade Magazine All-America Team and the USA Today Pre-Season Super 25. Matthew Stafford also won the MVP and Best Arm awards at the 2005 EA Sports Elite 11 Quarterback Camp and was named the 2005 EA Sports National Player of the Year. Famed American football analyst, Mel Kiper, Jr., predicted that Matthew Stafford, before he had even started one game at the collegiate level, would eventually be the first pick in the NFL draft.
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