Rockdale County High School’s Jerry Mathis now holds a Georgia State offer to go along with 6 others (Memphis, Buffalo have offered along with 4 FCS schools). He is 6’4, 265lbs Strongside Defensive End and is continuing to get interest from South Carolina and has mutual interest with Georgia Tech. Mathis has visited the campus multiple times during the 2010 season and grew up a Georgia Tech fan. I believe that if GT offered he’d likely jump at the offer.
So what chances do the Panthers have? A pretty good one, as I do not believe Tech will offer anything other than a preferred walk on slot with two other Defensive Ends currently committed. The Panthers have major need for another body along the defensive line to grab 300 snaps in 2011 and will graduate 2 Defensive Ends after next season. He also played Offensive line for the Patriots and could likely drop 12-15 lbs and add significant muscle.
Does Mathis opt for immediate playing time at a lower division school close to home or does he go with his childhood team and pay his own way? Only 47 days until we find out for sure.