Being a big need in the 2020 class, the Miami Hurricanes have gone hard after a select few linebackers so far this cycle. Last week, the Hurricanes took a major step towards filling those needs, landing a commitment from Pinallas Park (FL) 3-star LB AJ Mathis.
“At first, I talked to my uncle and my dad about it. My dad told me if I felt that way about Miami, then I should commit, instead of waiting,” Mathis said. “So I did it - I texted coach (Jon) Patke and told him I was ready to commit. He had me call coach (Manny) Diaz, everybody was excited. It feels good. It was kind of a relief to be done, really – it feels great.”
Mathis’ Miami recruitment was quick and to the point, as he received his Miami offer less than a month before his commitment. After visiting UM a week later, he soon included the Canes in his top 3 in late April, along with Florida and Auburn. In the end, that visit was what ultimately locked up Mathis in Miami’s favor, and the staff moved quickly to secure his commitment.
“When I went there, I could see myself playing there, I could see myself in that atmosphere and loved watching the way the defense was playing,” Mathis said. “The thing that made me more sure is that the defense wasn’t even in pads, but I still felt like the vibe was right, the dog was in them, and I feel like I fit in, especially in that environment. And then the situation with the linebackers, it made me feel like I could get on the field earlier, and that made my interest even bigger.”
The 6-1 210 pound prospect was in contact with staff members Blake Baker and David Cooney at times, but his main recruiter was Patke, and he credits the outside linebackers coach as someone that made him feel comfortable at Miami.
“Coach Patke, I like the way we were talking, a real conversation,” Mathis said. “I like the way he coaches the linebackers too from what I was watching in practice. I just feel like coach Patke is very trustworthy.”
In terms of other programs, Mathis says he will still hear them out, but that he is comfortable with his decision to pledge to Miami.
“I feel like I’m going to be done (with recruiting), but I’m going to give it a few weeks,” Mathis said. “If any coaches want to talk to me, I’ll talk to them, but my mind’s pretty much made up.”
The Canes’ 2020 recruiting class is considered an early top 5 class by the recruiting services. With his commitment in the books, Mathis can finally relax a bit and start getting to know his 2020 classmates better. Mathis has been in touch with one of his classmates, and is working on getting familiar with the rest of Category20.
“I’ve talked to one personally, Tre’von Riggins,” Mathis said. “We talked a little bit about Miami and he put me in the group chat with all the other commits. I’m still trying to get to know all of them.”
While for now Mathis is working on getting used to what it means to be a Miami commit, he does plan on putting on his recruiter hat to bring others into the fold at UM at some point.
“I’m still trying to feel stuff out a bit, I want to get comfortable,” Mathis said. “But when I’m comfortable, then I’m going to be getting at some people, definitely.”
And his expectations for his freshman season at UM?
“I’ve got high expectations for myself,” Mathis said. “I expect to play right away.”
“At first, I talked to my uncle and my dad about it. My dad told me if I felt that way about Miami, then I should commit, instead of waiting,” Mathis said. “So I did it - I texted coach (Jon) Patke and told him I was ready to commit. He had me call coach (Manny) Diaz, everybody was excited. It feels good. It was kind of a relief to be done, really – it feels great.”
Mathis’ Miami recruitment was quick and to the point, as he received his Miami offer less than a month before his commitment. After visiting UM a week later, he soon included the Canes in his top 3 in late April, along with Florida and Auburn. In the end, that visit was what ultimately locked up Mathis in Miami’s favor, and the staff moved quickly to secure his commitment.
“When I went there, I could see myself playing there, I could see myself in that atmosphere and loved watching the way the defense was playing,” Mathis said. “The thing that made me more sure is that the defense wasn’t even in pads, but I still felt like the vibe was right, the dog was in them, and I feel like I fit in, especially in that environment. And then the situation with the linebackers, it made me feel like I could get on the field earlier, and that made my interest even bigger.”
The 6-1 210 pound prospect was in contact with staff members Blake Baker and David Cooney at times, but his main recruiter was Patke, and he credits the outside linebackers coach as someone that made him feel comfortable at Miami.
“Coach Patke, I like the way we were talking, a real conversation,” Mathis said. “I like the way he coaches the linebackers too from what I was watching in practice. I just feel like coach Patke is very trustworthy.”
In terms of other programs, Mathis says he will still hear them out, but that he is comfortable with his decision to pledge to Miami.
“I feel like I’m going to be done (with recruiting), but I’m going to give it a few weeks,” Mathis said. “If any coaches want to talk to me, I’ll talk to them, but my mind’s pretty much made up.”
The Canes’ 2020 recruiting class is considered an early top 5 class by the recruiting services. With his commitment in the books, Mathis can finally relax a bit and start getting to know his 2020 classmates better. Mathis has been in touch with one of his classmates, and is working on getting familiar with the rest of Category20.
“I’ve talked to one personally, Tre’von Riggins,” Mathis said. “We talked a little bit about Miami and he put me in the group chat with all the other commits. I’m still trying to get to know all of them.”
While for now Mathis is working on getting used to what it means to be a Miami commit, he does plan on putting on his recruiter hat to bring others into the fold at UM at some point.
“I’m still trying to feel stuff out a bit, I want to get comfortable,” Mathis said. “But when I’m comfortable, then I’m going to be getting at some people, definitely.”
And his expectations for his freshman season at UM?
“I’ve got high expectations for myself,” Mathis said. “I expect to play right away.”
