{"id":131846,"date":"2022-03-21T12:43:26","date_gmt":"2022-03-21T16:43:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=131846"},"modified":"2022-03-21T12:45:26","modified_gmt":"2022-03-21T16:45:26","slug":"2022-nfl-draft-player-profile-phidarian-mathis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2022\/03\/21\/2022-nfl-draft-player-profile-phidarian-mathis\/","title":{"rendered":"2022 NFL Draft Player Profile: Phidarian Mathis"},"content":{"rendered":"

Phidarian Mathis NFL Draft Overview<\/strong><\/p>\n

Position:\u00a0<\/strong>Defensive tackle<\/p>\n

Height: <\/strong>6’4″<\/p>\n

Weight:<\/strong> 312 pounds<\/p>\n

School: <\/strong>University of Alabama<\/a><\/p>\n

More 2022 NFL Draft profiles<\/strong><\/a>H2 tit<\/p>\n

Phidarian Mathis 2022 NFL Draft Profile<\/h2>\n

Mathis was recruited as a four-star high school prospect out of the state of Louisiana. He was an elite defensive lineman at Neville High School<\/a> in Monroe, Louisiana<\/a>. As well as being a sensational player, he was highly ranked by several sports outlets. Mathis was ranked fourth in the state of Louisiana by Rivals and 24\/7 Sports while being ranked number two in the state by ESPN as a high school prospect. Additionally, he was ranked as the number seven defensive tackle in the nation by 24\/7 Sports and number 37 in ESPN<\/a>‘s 300. Also, he received All-State accolades as a four-star recruit. Incidentally, to the disappointment of many LSU<\/a> fans, Mathis chose to play for Alabama<\/a> instead of his home state SEC school.<\/p>\n

Surprisingly, many draft analysts have Mathis predicted to be no better than a late third or early fourth-round draft selection. Mathis played well enough to help get Alabama to the College Playoff National Championship<\/a> game. But his low draft expectations are mostly a result of him being a late bloomer as a college player. However, that was due to Mathis having to wait his turn in a crowded Alabama defensive front behind the likes of Da’Ron Payne<\/a>, Christian Barmore, Raekwon Davis, and Quinnen Williams. Mathis’ first year at Alabama was 2017 and he was redshirted. He did make the All-SEC freshman team in 2018 but did not receive any accolades for the 2019 season after being used as a rotational player on Alabama’s defense.<\/p>\n

Mathis Had a Breakout Senior Season<\/h3>\n

The 2021 season was a breakout year Mathis. He was a team captain, second-team All-American, All-SEC second team, and a Reese’s Senior Bowl<\/a> All-American as a redshirt senior. He had a career-high nine sacks, 53 tackles, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries after only having one sack prior to the 2021 season. His nine sacks were the second most on Alabama behind college football’s sack leader and teammate, Will Anderson<\/a>, and ranked third in the SEC. Furthermore, he was named a defensive player of the week by the Alabama coaches for five different games.<\/p>\n

Strengths:<\/strong><\/p>\n