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Alabama football: DL Phidarian Mathis keeps rising stardom in perspective
By Phil Ervin
Published:
When asked about playing multiple positions on the Alabama defensive line, Phidarian Mathis gave an answer that wouldn’t be associated with the egoism that often accompanies stardom.
“I’ve just always done what has been asked of me,” Mathis said, “just being a team player. If you want to play, it really doesn’t matter where the coach wants to put you, you’re going to go out there and do it. So I don’t mind; I think it’s real good.”
You get the sense Mathis is often focused on the big picture for a guy in his early 20s. From raising a child to approaching the game of football, looking at things from a macro level is fitting for the 6-4, 312-pound Louisiana native.
Both figuratively and literally, Mathis is a large reason No. 1 Alabama is holding opponents to an SEC-best 18.3 points per game. Heading into Saturday’s regular-season finale at Arkansas, the redshirt junior has 27 total tackles (14 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, a sack, 3 pass breakups, 3 quarterback hurries and a forced fumble while playing nose guard and defensive end in the Crimson Tide’s 3-man front.
He’s one of several top-end recruits coach Nick Saban’s staff has plucked from Louisiana and turned into stars. 247Sports ranked him as the No. 4 player in the state.
The Under Armour All-American from Neville picked Alabama over LSU and TCU. He announced his decision from the grave of high school teammate Tyrell Cameron, who had died the previous fall after being injured on the football field.
How’s that for seeing the larger view?
His first couple of seasons in Tuscaloosa, Mathis operated primarily at the nose. He played in 12 games and made 2 starts last season, finishing with 27 stops, a pair of QB hurries and a forced fumble.
In February, he celebrated the birth of a daughter, Khylei Rae Mathis. There’s nothing quite like the perspective that comes from being a dad.
On the field, Mathis has played more end this year, partially due to LaBryan Ray’s injury that sidelined him earlier in the season.
“Just stepping up and taking on a big role,” Mathis, who goes by “Phil,” said when assessing his play. “Just helping out LaBryan Ray, especially with him being down and people looking at me to be a leader up front, especially by me being the next older cat that’s in the room. I’m just taking it day by day, leading the young guys in the room and just being the best I can be whenever I get the opportunity to get on the field.”
No arguments from his head coach.
“I think Phil has played really well,” Saban said. “I think he’s got his weight down. His quickness is better. That’s the thing that I think has helped him the most, and I think he’s playing with a lot more initial quickness, moving better, rushing better.
“The guy’s got a really, really good motor. He plays hard all the time. His production has increased with those improvements, and I’m really pleased with him. I think he sets a good example for the young guys. We’re pleased with that, as well.”
Phil Ervin is a veteran college football writer with experience covering both the SEC and Big Ten.
