Maryland football OLB Zahir Mathis named week two freshman standout

Ahmed Ghafir
4 hours ago
3 min read

The freshmen class has been expected to become a focal point of the 2025 Maryland football team as the newcomers on both sides of the ball have flashed through the first two games of the season. But one week after one freshman edge was recognized after recording his first career sack, another Maryland football freshman was recognized among the top performers in his class in week two. Mathis was named alongside Dakorien Moore (Oregon), Michael Fasusi (Oklahoma), Chaz Coleman (PSU) and Jalen Cooper (SMU).

On3 named Maryland OLB Zahir Mathis one of five week two freshmen standouts after recording four tackles, 1.5 TFLs and 1 sack vs. Northern Illinois. Mathis now enters week two second on the team in sacks (1.5) and third in TFLs (3) while adding five total tackles in two games.

The Imhotep product has been expected to become a big part of Maryland’s pass rush in 2025, teaming up with freshman Sidney Stewart to give the position long-term optimism of a dynamic pass rush with linebackers Daniel Wingate and Trey Reddick leading the front seven. While the bulk of the early contributors have been early enrollees, Mathis arrived in College Park in June before making his impact felt in both scrimmages during fall camp.

While position coach and defensive coordinator Ted Monachino will look to add redshirt sophomore Neeo Avery to the rotation once he’s available, Mathis has lived up to early expectations as an early contributor as Maryland’s defense enters week three ranked tied for third in both sacks (7) and TFLs (17).

Mathis arrived in College Park months after announcing his commitment during the February signing period, committing to Maryland over Florida State, Ohio State and Penn State among others with quarterback Malik Washington kicking off the pursuit during the week of the Under Armour All-American game.

“I can remember Malik calling me once he got down in the Under Armour game, and at one point Malik wasn't going to play in the Under Armor game, he was maybe going to play in the other one. And then when he decided to play in that game, it all kind of came to fruition because of a relationship that those two had,” head coach Mike Locksley said in the spring. “Malik called me and said, ‘coach, man, we may have a shot at this, at Zahir. And I'm like, let's do it. And next thing I know, it sped up. And, you know, I got up to Philly, chance to see him, and we really hit it off. And I think obviously the relationship with Malik, a lot of the players on this team having played with him, with the Maryland Heat youth program here locally. He would travel down from Philadelphia, to play with this group and it all worked out in our favor.”

“What kind of player can he be? I mean, there's no doubt he's one of those guys that has the ability to come in as a pass-rusher and have an immediate impact. He's a lot more mature than what his age shows. And again, anybody that spent any time with this kid knows, he's made up of the right stuff. And he's definitely the type of player that I've had great success with.”

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