After the Early National Signing Day passed, the top uncommitted player in the 2025 Class remains a primary target for Penn State. The four-star edge rusher from Imhotep Institute in Philadelphia, who de-committed from Ohio State in November, had been expected to flip to the Nittany Lions, though no decision has been made. He is now planning visits to other Big Ten schools.
Once the recruiting dead period concludes, Mathis is set to visit Florida State, UCLA, and Michigan, which has ramped up its recruitment efforts. Defensive line coach Lou Esposito has played a significant role, and the Wolverines could have a strong chance of securing his commitment, potentially outpacing both Penn State and Ohio State.
Though Penn State has already secured a 27-player freshman class, leaving limited space, top 100 recruits like Mathis are still likely to be accommodated. The bigger concern is that Mathis may have cooled on Penn State. With the Nittany Lions bringing in two edge rushers, Cortez Harris and Chaz Coleman, it appears coach James Franklin and defensive line coach Deion Barnes may have shifted their focus after Mathis delayed his decision until January.
As Mathis reopens his recruitment, his choice is expected to come down to the three schools he plans to visit, rather than the initial group of contenders.
Despite a challenging season under Sherrone Moore, Michigan is stepping up its recruiting efforts, improving the quality of its targeted players. Michigan’s 2025 class is currently ranked 9th nationally, featuring top recruit Bryce Underwood and five-star offensive tackle Andrew Babalola.
Penn State and Michigan have competed for several 2025 recruits, but the race for Mathis might not be one of them. So far, the two schools have had similar outcomes, with Penn State flipping Andrew Olesh on signing day and Michigan securing Kainoa Winston early. Adding Mathis would further bolster Michigan’s 22-player class and strengthen the program’s position as a powerhouse under Moore.
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