After weeks of deliberation, Top247 edge rusher Zahir Mathis has made his National Signing Day decision. The Philadelphia Imhotep standout announced Wednesday on 247Sports’ Ultimate CFB Show that he will sign with Maryland.
Mathis, the No. 20 edge and No. 166 overall player in the 2025 class, chose the Terrapins over Florida State after making official visits to both programs in recent weeks. His commitment comes after a weekend visit to College Park, where he had the opportunity to reconnect with incoming freshman quarterback Malik Washington, a former youth football teammate, and build strong relationships with Maryland’s coaching staff.
“The hospitality from Coach Locks, Coach JT, and Coach Brownlee was a lot different,” Mathis said of his trip to Maryland. “They made it stand out. They made sure I was real comfortable and made sure my family was real comfortable. That was a big standout to me.”
Washington, the No. 5 quarterback in the 2025 class and a recent Terps enrollee, played a key role in Mathis’ recruitment. The two first played together for the Maryland Heat in youth football and reconnected during the Under Armour All-America Game in Florida over the holidays.
“I was mainly with Malik,” Mathis said. “We go way back from Maryland Heat in youth ball. We go way back, and I feel as though it made it a little bit better because I already had a lot of trust in him.”
Mathis also valued the vision Maryland’s coaching staff had for his development. Throughout his recruitment, he was intrigued by the possibility of playing a hybrid outside linebacker role rather than a traditional defensive end.
“I could see myself as an outside linebacker/hybrid type,” Mathis said. “Just to get out of my natural habitat as a hands-down edge and seeing…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/maryland-lands-signing-day-pledge-from-top247-edge-rusher-zahir-mathis-who-picked-terps-over-florida-state/
Author : Brian Dohn
Publish date : 2025-02-05 19:08:00
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