In what could be a big development for Penn State football’s Class of 2025, one of the top recruiting stars in Pennsylvania has de-committed from Ohio State.
Zahir Mathis, a 6-foot-6, 230-pound defensive end from Philly’s Imhotep Charter High School, announced his de-commitment via social media Monday.
“After much consideration I’ve decided to reopen my recruitment and decommit from Ohio State. I appreciate Coach Day, Coach Johnson and all the coaches at Ohio State. They are still a top school for me. This is a life decision. Please respect my decision!” Mathis posted to X, formerly Twitter.
After much consideration I’ve decided to reopen my recruitment and decommit from Ohio State. I appreciate Coach Day, Coach Johnson and all the coaches at Ohio State. They are still a top school for me. This is a life decision. Please respect my decision!
— Zahir Mathis (@ZahirMathis5) November 18, 2024
Mathis is the No. 2 overall player in Pennsylvania from his class per 247Sports’s composite rankings. With a few weeks until the Signing Day period begins, one has to think Penn State is in the running because it kept pursing Mathis while he was committed.
SUMMER VISITS
Earlier this fall, Blue-White Illustrated’s Sean Fitz gave some insight into Mathis’s recruitment.
“Mathis visited Penn State twice this summer,” Fitz wrote, “with one of those being an official visit in July. He hasn’t been in a rush to do much of anything, but after that trip there should be more clarity. It sounds like the Buckeyes want to keep him, but Deion Barnes has the Nittany Lions on semi-equal footing as of now. That will be one to watch closer as the calendar turns to November.”
Barnes has already put together a solid resume with not even two full seasons completed as Penn State’s defensive line coach. Something like that could be quite appealing to Mathis.
A PROPHECY?
Photo by Penn State Athletics: James Franklin and Pat Kraft
Should Penn State sign Mathis, coach James Franklin’s words from last Signing Day, when Mathis was the No. 1 recruiting target in PA, will loom large.
“We’ve got a pretty good run going right now,” Franklin said, “again, with the state of Pennsylvania and the No. 1 player in the state of Pennsylvania. We’ve got to do it again next year. That’s not looking as promising right now as it has been the last couple years, but we’re going to battle and to find a way to get that one done as well.”
The early signing period begins Dec. 4.
