Career
O'Donnell played high school football at Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School in Kingston Ontario. On December 17, 2010, it was announced that O'Donnell was one of two CIS players to be named to the East–West Shrine Game. When O’Donnell first suited up at Queen's back in 2007 he was a sizable yet very green 18-year-old rookie.
But his time spent under the Queen's coaching staff allowed him to develop into one of the top offensive line prospects in the country heading into the 2011 CFL Draft. Heading into the draft O'Donnell was ranked 11th on the CFL Amateur Scouting Bureau's list of the top prospects. The ranking is certainly deserved after an impressive college career.
He was also named a first-team All-Canadian in both 2009 and 2010, and took home the OUA award for best lineman this past season. CFL
O'Donnell was chosen in the second round and 15th overall by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. O'Donnell was the fourth offensive lineman taken in the draft, but was the highest CIS offensive lineman selected.
NBA
On May 31, 2011, it was reported that O'Donnell had chosen to delay his signing with the Roughriders due to the NBA's Boston Celtics put him through a workout session in June. This move was seen as peculiar given the fact that he had not played basketball since high school. Matt also received interest from the Toronto Raptors and he attended a workout in June 2011.
Cincinnati Bengals
O'Donnell was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals on February 2, 2015. Waived by Cincinnati Bengals on September 5, 2015, after failing to make the 53 man final roster. Edmonton Eskimos
The Roughriders traded O'Donnell's rights to the Edmonton Eskimos on September 5, 2012.
He was officially signed by the Eskimos on September 17. He played for the Eskimos from 2012 to 2014.