Mathis has offer, plenty of interest
ATLANTA, Ga., -- Five-star linebacker Reuben Foster has gotten a lot of the ink this week at the Rising Seniors Georgia Junior Bowl, but the player who will line up to his left at outside linebacker for the West Squad in Friday's game certainly is deserving of some attention.
That would be Mario Mathis.
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A standout at Thomasville (Ga.), the 6-feet-2, 230-pound Mathis is hearing from several colleges, and one of them recently pulled the trigger.
"USF offered [earlier this month]," Mathis said. "I've been there already. I went when they played Louisville. They've got a very good atmosphere and it's a real good school."
Chances are, others offers are coming. Who might be next?
"Probably South Carolina," Mathis said. "They've shown me a lot of interest. I went to one of their bowl practices. I think it was their first one. I like the way they practice and the way their coaches are. I like them."
Gamecocks assistant John Butler is handling his recruitment, Mathis said. Most schools are looking at him to play outside linebacker. But South Carolina, which Mathis said attended one of his team's scrimmages in 2011, has different plans.
"They want me to play inside and outside," Mathis said. "Almost all of their linebackers move around. Almost all of them play both."
Florida State might be another school to watch. According to Mathis, the Seminoles are among the programs showing the most interest.
"They just like the way I move at linebacker," Mathis said.
Mathis seems somewhat surprised he has but one offer, but as he put it, "I'm not the type of guy to complain."
Keith Niebuhr can be reached at Keithrivals@yahoo.com. You can follow him on Twitter @KeithRIVALS.