One of Pace’s top offensive linemen is staying in Florida.
Mason Mathis, who had a huge uptick in recruiting following the 2024 season, made his verbal commitment on social media on June 22 for college football. Mathis is locked in with the University of South Florida, keeping the rising senior relatively close to home with the Bulls.
Since the end of the year, Mathis had received 22 Division I offers, with the Bulls standing out the most. He chose USF over the likes of the University of Louisiana, Arkansas State, UT-Chattanooga, Army, Navy, Air Force and Southern Miss, among others.
Mathis originally posted about his offer from USF on May 22, making it just about a month in between offer and commitment.
“I am blessed, grateful, and excited to announce I am committed to the University of South Florida!” Mathis posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, with a graphic of him in a USF uniform. “GO BULLS!”
Through the 2024 season, Pace football head coach Vance Smith said Mathis developed into a “better football player,” and once his highlight reel from the campaign was made, he expected Mathis to “blow up” on the recruiting trail.
Mathis stands at 6-foot-6 and weighs 315 pounds, and also has a staggering 81-inch wingspan. That should put him in prime position to become an effective collegiate offensive lineman.
Mathis was part of a vicious offensive line last season that helped Pace (10-2) advance to the Region 1-6A semifinals behind a lethal run game. The Patriots ran for nearly 2,800 yards and 45 touchdowns. Quarterback Ben Tyner was hardly sacked, as well.
Mathis recorded 76 knock-downs last season, he told the PNJ in the spring, and wants to improve on that number going into his senior season.
Mathis also had a strong boys weightlifting season earlier in the spring, placing sixth at the Class 3A state meet in the unlimited weight class in the traditional classification with a total of 670 pounds lifted.
“It’s crazy. It’s been a dream of mine ever since I was 5 years old. It’s a dream come true, but it’s not over yet,” Mathis said in the spring, talking about the boost in recruiting. “I have one year left at Pace to show what I can do.”
Mathis is now the second offensive lineman to commit from Pace, joining Grant Wise. Wise, back in March, verbally committed to Clemson.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pace’s Mason Mathis commits to USF over weekend, becoming Patriots’ second OL to make decision
Reporting by Ben Grieco, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
