Jonathan Mathis: Football means everything to me. It taught me discipline, kept me out of trouble, and it made me who I am to this day.
Joe Gaiter: What are your fondest memories about King High school?
Jonathan Mathis: I would have to say the Friday night lights. Playing with friends I’ve been playing with since park ball. After every game we would all go to Waffle House to eat.
Joe Gaiter: What were some of your stats this season?
Jonathan Mathis: 102 total tackles with 60 solos, 15.5 TFLs, 5 PBUs, 3 FRs, 2 FFs, 1 INT, 4 Sacks with 2 QB hurries, and a Blocked punt.
Joe Gaiter: What will you miss about gameday at Morehouse?
Jonathan Mathis: I’m definitely going to miss Coach Copeland pre-game speeches. He always got me hyped before our games. His passion for the game had me wanting to go hit somebody for him.
Joe Gaiter: How did you face adversity this year?
Jonathan Mathis: I was told you can’t control what happens to you but you can control how you react to it so when life throws me a problem, I stay positive and find a way through it.
Joe Gaiter: What makes a good linebacker?
Jonathan Mathis: To me a good linebacker is the leader of the defense. Makes sure everyone gets the play, makes sure he knows all the assignments of everyone on his side of the ball. I always held that weight on my shoulders. I know if someone didn’t know the play I blamed myself.
Joe Gaiter: You lead the SIAC with tackles. How strong are you physically and mentally?
Jonathan Mathis: Physically I definitely would say above average. I was always bigger and stronger than teammates and friends. My dad have me do push-ups every night and that stuck with me to this day. Mentally, I would have to say the same, above average. I don’t let anything get under my skin. I deal with my problems and move on. I don’t really let things get me mad or upset.
Joe Gaiter: How do you get into game mode before the game?
Jonathan Mathis: Listening to my playlist and I pray before every game that I have and everyone has even the opposing team. Home games I would do a slight workout and before kickoff. I always remember who I’m playing for, playing for people, kids who would love to be in my shoes right now.
Joe Gaiter: What have you learned most about yourself this season?
Jonathan Mathis: I learned that a football player is more than just being athletic but about being athletic and knowing your opponent, watching film and figuring out the best way to play against it.
Joe Gaiter: Morehouse was 4-6 this season. In your opinion, what went wrong?
Jonathan Mathis: I believe what went wrong is that we wasn’t working out as much. The difference between last year when we went 7-3 is that we was in the weight room 6am every Tuesday and Thursday.
Joe Gaiter: Why should any NFL/CFL team should consider you over other Linebackers?
Jonathan Mathis: My IQ and versatility, when I walked on they had enough LBs so they seen the way I was moving and decided the move me to Rover which is SS. Learning that position helped me understand the DBs alignments and assignments and actually helped me become a better linebacker because I knew who was behind me and where they were going. This helped me understand the playbook a lot more.
Joe Gaiter: How coachable are you?
Jonathan Mathis: My coaches would all say I’m coachable I could understand what someone says to me just by them telling me once. If I am unable to do it physically I’ll teach myself.
Joe Gaiter: How was your proday?
Jonathan Mathis: Officially I don’t have most numbers but my Vert was 35in Broad was a 9-4 hit the Bench for 17 and my numbers was graded around the same numbers from athletes at the combine.
Joe Gaiter: What is your motivation?
Jonathan Mathis: My motivation is and always will be my dad. He’s what keeps me going and I wouldn’t have accomplished anything without him.
Joe Gaiter: Where are you training during draft season?
Jonathan Mathis: I was training with EJ Webb over at STACK before the COVID-19 problems. He helped me improve my form in running and jumping.
Joe Gaiter: What is your advice to Morehouse 2020 Football team?
Jonathan Mathis: I would tell them to be humble and stay in that weightroom. I believe they have a lot of talent and they could definitely be better than our senior class.
Joe Gaiter: What do you want your legacy to be?
Jonathan Mathis: I would want my legacy to be remembered as one of the best athletes to come out of Morehouse not just football player.
Joe Gaiter: What don’t people know about you?
Jonathan Mathis: Some people don’t know I did judo as a kid with my brother. He’s 9years older than me and right now. I think I could definitely beat him in a fight now.
Joe Gaiter: Final Words?
Jonathan Mathis: Wherever my God lands me to play professional football I will never take it for granted and work hard and better myself.
Joe Gaiter: Shoutouts?
Jonathan Mathis: Always a big shoutout to Morehouse Football for giving me the chance to play for them I wouldn’t be here without them.
IG: Jon_Mathis3
Twitter: Jonmat2016
Jonathan Mathis, Morehouse, NFL Draft Interview with Joe Gaiter was last modified: April 20th, 2020 by Joseph Gaiter
