Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Jerry Mathis, DT, Samford University

Every year, NFL Draft Diamonds brings our readers the best in depth interviews on the internet. We specialize in giving players an opportunity to showcase their talents on our website. We conducted interviews last year with over 300 plus players. We want you to enjoy our interviews, because when these young men are in the league, we will not be surprised, and neither should you. 

What is your name?

Jerry Mathis

Where do you play college football?

My mom really loved the school, and I’ve always heard how great it was to have a degree from there. And I built a good relationship with Coach Shade.

How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?

15-20

Where are you from?

I’m from Conyers, GA

Who is your role model, and why?

My mom is my biggest role model because of the woman she is, and how she raised me to always work hard for what I wanted. And she’s always been there for me through good and bad times.

Have any scouts met with you yet, and if so what are they saying?

I haven’t met with any scouts yet.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

I played baseball and basketball

Did you play any other positions in football?

I played running back a couple times when I was younger, but mostly O-line and D-line. Started at offensive guard and defensive end when I was in high school.

At your position, what separates you from others?

I feel like my explosiveness off the ball and strength separates me from those in my position. And my hands as well.

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?

I’m always looking at offensive lineman stances along with like tendencies like if it’s a pass, what side does the center work to, and things like how they come off the ball and how they do their double teams. I sometimes look at back field sets in the run, but that’s mostly for alignments and stuff.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

I would probably give it to Reese Dismuke at Auburn, played against him twice, freshman and senior year. We had some good battles up front.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why?

Haloti Ngata, his explosiveness and hands are good.

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?

I would have to say not having my father around bothered me at times when I was younger when I needed guidance with certain sports stuff but my mom always came in and did what he didn’t to the best of her ability and that’s how I overcame it.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I’m usually ready to play a couple days before the game but when we arrive to the field I walk to the furthest end zone and then sit down where my position group sits and I listen to music.

What is your biggest strength?

My ball get off

What is your biggest weakness?

I don’t have any weaknesses I can really think of

If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?

I would say I am reliable on and off the field, I’m going to always work hard to make the team better, and I’m going to do any and everything to win every Sunday when I’m called upon.

Who was your favorite player and NFL team growing up?

My favorite player growing up was Ray Lewis and I’ve always like my home team the Falcons but I can say that my actual favorite was the Bears. They were always a great defensive team when I was growing up and I love playing defense.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?

I would have dinner with Eric Berry, Darnell Dockett, and Warren Sapp