To University of Washington Huskies Joe Mathis, the NFL is neither spotlight, big payday, nor even ego. It’s a conduit to fulfill his passion: playing Football.
Some people have all the luck. Born into money, discovered by a camera at an early age, you know the types. Kardashians in other walks of life. Things have always just “gone their way”. But to others, there is a fire in the soul. That aching hunger within one’s essence that cannot be denied. That ache drives sculpters to pull statues out of blocks of stone. It drives song writers to play tunes until fingers bleed so that the melody is just right.
“The game slows down for you when you know what you’re doing.”-Joe Mathis
After all, that aching hunger is driving Washington Huskies Joe Mathis to play
football. Is it a predestined fate which
pulls him to the sport, or is he propelling
himself to excellence on sheer will power? In any case, he must overcome many obstacles along the way.
Earned His Way
Joe Mathis is no such person who has things handed to him. He has had to train harder, persevere, find a higher level of focus than others on the football field. In his senior season, he found the right frequency.
In retrospect, he was the embodiment of the team’s spirit. Seemingly from nowhere, he led the team in the first six games of the season to a 6-0 start. In the process, he had 25 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, and five quarterback sacks. He was just getting started, but that would be the season for Joe Mathis. He suffered a foot injury. Fate has an ironic, almost sadistic, sense of humor sometimes.
Football Career His Life’s Destiny
Joe Mathis began playing football at the age of five. At age five, a young boy is hardly committing to life changing decisions. But Fate sets a young man on the path early. You see, Mathis had four sisters. With so many women in his life, it came as no small wonder that he sought an outlet for his male testosterone hormones.
His football trek was his natural calling. He played well and found the game to be a more than enjoyable. It was fulfilling. And it opened opportunities. He was no different than any other young man. But he has a special bond with his father. A man who was more mentor than disciplinarian. That suited young Joe just fine:
"“Growing up, he was the greatest dad ever,” Mathis said. “He got me into football. (My father) pushed me. He taught me that, if you really want something, go get it and never back down from anybody. Stick with football, it’s going to set you up for life,”"
More from The Husky Haul
- Pro Husky Shaq Thompson out for season with leg injury
- Washington Huskies begin conference play against Cal in Week 4
- Jack Westover is a breakout star for the Washington Huskies
- Washington football: Negatives and Positives in win over Michigan State
- Huskies offense slices through the Spartans in 41-7 win
So Easy So Early
And so he did. He started as a true freshman earning his varsity letter. By the time he was beginning to get noticed by colleges, he earned LOTS of attention.
"“The University of Washington recruited me often, especially in the last couple of months before my decisions. Alabama visited me often too. Recruiting was hard. I was one of the top rated players out of high school, and colleges come after you. Ultimately, I connected with the Washington Huskies coaches and made my decision."
Per 247sports.com, Mathis was indeed a highly regarded recruit. He was a 4-star defensive tackle rated 189 in the nation for all players, 17th in the nation for defensive tackles, and 22nd overall from California.
Life Comes At You Fast
Changes. Life is full of them.
Freshman Joe Mathis arrived to the University of Washington armed with youthful confidence. His head coach was Steve Sarkisian. But after his first year at college, the young man learned he had a new head coach. That message was not well received by Mathis
"“I thought at the time that the University of Washington didn’t handle it the right way. But I was young and headstrong and had to learn that life doesn’t always go your way. Sometimes you have to pull it up as a young man.”"
Acceptance was not an easy lesson for Joe Mathis. Perhaps that is why injury found him in his senior year. But injury was not the only thing to find Mathis. He found love. And with love, he found a miracle.
Love Will Find A Way
He married his lovely wife Savitri in a small private ceremony. Teammate Elijah Qualls was in attendance. And more blessings happened as well. This is a special moment in a man’s life when he grows to a parent. That moment is especially meaningful to Joe Mathis.
The chain of life grows. The father becomes grandfather, son becomes father, and a new life becomes son. Such is life. it comes at you fast.
Injured Foot, Burning Desire
He had injured his foot, and was unable to suit up for the next three games.
"“When I got hurt.. as soon as I got hurt, I felt the pop and I knew it was a flash of my future. I had a tough time. At first, I didn’t want to come to the training facilities. I lost weight. It felt like football was taken from me. Ultimately It was a test, to set me back and handle adversity. I had some tell me I was going to struggle to get back on the field. But I couldn’t take that to heart. It was ligament damage to my right foot. The procedure actually improved my flexibility. The result is that I have more spring, and they even improved my calves."
Foot Surgery
On November 7, 2016, Coach Petersen announced Joe Mathis would have foot surgery. His season was over.
"If Washington's Joe Mathis had a full senior season he'd be a first round lock"
— PFF (@PFF) April 4, 2017
- @PFF_Mikehttps://t.co/5T5ushm34r
There are times when a person must walk a path alone. This was not such a time. Mathis had an addiction to football, a passion, and he was now cut off. He needed somebody to step up for him.
His wife Savitri stepped up, and stood by, Joe Mathis.
Savitri Saves The Dream
Football is a sport that involves fans. A player connects to fans and that energy becomes fuel to rise up, to persevere, to beat the odds. Even when that cheering falls to one voice. In fact, especially when everything falls to that one voice:
"“My wife is a great supporter of our life and of me. I want to provide and give her the same 100 percent she always gives me. She is the alarm, the pep talk, the inspiration, the motivation. She sets a high bar but she keeps me humble. I have two stomachs to feed and she prepares the food my body needs to achieve my top performance. She gives so much. The road back was about her, and us. And with her, we have our son.”"
Find Your Way Back
The road back. On one hand, a path from cheers to the voice in your head. On the other hand, it’s the descent from scoreboards to mental counts of how many reps you just performed. In the end, it’s the trek from box scores to medical progress charts.
More from Huskies in the NFL
- Pro Husky Shaq Thompson out for season with leg injury
- Washington football alums making waves in Week 3 of the preseason
- Washington football: Previewing the top rookie Huskies in the NFL
- Washington football: Top 3 former Huskies in Madden NFL 22
- Washington football: Pro Huskies show out in Week 2 of the preseason
When you are injured and your teammates play on, the fire doesn’t extinguish. The passion doesn’t end. It burns. White hot. To many young men, that fiery passion remains unfocused, unchanneled. Raging emotions can become destructive without focus.
Meet Little Joe
Joe Mathis had that focus. His name was Joe Sahil Mathis IV, his son.
"“He’s opened my eyes to everything. From the moment I first laid eyes on him, everything sorted itself out. I’m his example. Whatever I do I have to be the one to show him the right way to do things. I have a great bond with him. He kicks his legs. If i try to duck in and out right away, he has a fit. I want to get to the NFL to build a legacy for my son. Success can happen if I remain focused"
The road back is not just back onto the field. It’s not even back to a starting role. This road back is the steep climb to the NFL. The path many healthy athletes are unable to make, Joe Mathis is undertaking. But this is not about him. This is about his passion
Medically Cleared
Joe Mathis was medically cleared to resume training in early February 2017. At the time of our interview in March 2017, Joe has no restrictions. But getting back to football speed, football strength, football condition is not an overnight event. His play hurt the NCAA, as he was a true rising star.
Now, the NFL has the chance to correct history. We’ve brought up Joe Mathis’ name in previous articles. One discussing the road back to the NFL Pro Day. Another citing the huge upside of Joe Mathis in the upcoming 2017 NFL Draft.
Joe Mathis Scouting Report
This was from an earlier article, but is still holds true:
Joe Mathis brings maturity, power, and a sense of quiet confidence that is tough to dispute. While his six game senior season will likely take his name off the first films viewed by NFL scouts, he will eventually be scouted heavily by NFL teams in deed of a pass-rusher. (Hint: All NFL Teams could use a good pass-rusher)
Mathis is quick, but has incredible control of his body and his play awareness at all times. He is strong enough to stand up the offensive tackle, hold the edge, and drive the running play back to the inside. But he also has another gear, and if he sees a path to the quarterback, he kicks in and slashes so quickly that even running backs in protection are surprised.
Scouting Summary
Check out the links provided directly below. Read up on the underrated Husky.
*
*
*
*
*
The bargain potential of DE/OLB Joe Mathis was an incredibly well kept secret earlier in the season. But scouts and NFL experts are poo-poohing the lower ranking from early in the process.
In fact, CBS Sports named Joe Mathis one of this draft’s 20 most undervalued 2017 Draft prospects. Perhaps the word is out on the young man already.
Joe Mathis Consumer Report
At this point, most of the 2017 NFL Draft work has been done. Film has been reviewed, players and prospects have been ranked. But through all of the analysis, it comes down to charts, stats, and measurements.
There is more to an NFL prospect. So if there is an NFL Team that through some administrative oversight failed to speak directly to Joe Mathis, here is your chance. Here is the message he wants to tell the NFL.
What should an NFL Team which selects you expect?
They are going to get a complete guy who doesn’t worry about the big plays until I’ve mastered the little things. I hunger for the NFL. Yeah, I know it’s cliche’, but I really do have a high motor. From the moment the ball is snapped, I find the ball and run to it because I want to stop the ball carrier, or the quarterback. I will get past anyone trying to get in my way. I can be that NFL guy players are proud to play beside.
Positionally, you have the makings of a hybrid defensive end or outside linebacker. Which do you prefer to play?
I like to play anywhere the NFL needs me. When I get there, I would love to model my football performance after that of Baltimore Raven’s Terrell Suggs . After seeing his footage, I love the energy and power he brought in his game. I can be effective in either role, however the coach sees me adding the most to the team. In the end, I simply want to play. On one hand, I can read the whole offense from a two stance. On the other hand, I am more explosive in a three point stance. A three point stance gives me the advantage in rushing the passer.
More Questions
How do answer questions about your season ending prematurely in 2016?
First of all, I don’t think I was my most explosive in my senior year. Many haven’t seen me play at my most explosive. In fact, in my junior year I was more explosive, and I am going to be more explosive in the NFL.
The football field is my domain. I play the game a lot faster with pads on. Pads is a different speed, a different game. That’s my true element. I show my true colors when I get my football pads on. There are incredibly talented players in the NFL. But in the end, I know nobody can block me.
Who Dat Dish
How do you prepare for a game?
I learned to watch film under Coach Petersen. And he always preached that when we watch film, we always need our notebook. We were coached on that message constantly. At the next level, we will need to take notes, analyze, to become a pro. So when I sat down, I looked at all the top lineman in the PAC-12 weaknesses and strengths throughout the summer before we played. I wanted to be able to predict their moves. The game slows down for you when you know what you’re doing.
Do you have any NFL Mentors?
Bobby Wagner is a good mentor and role model. He’s helped me out quite a bit. I owe him a great deal of thanks. I have studied films of several NFL players, but find that there is so much to learn from Terrell Suggs. bull rush, swim move, spin move, big pop and go. He does it all.
The Passion of Joe Mathis
The ultimate priorities of the young man from Corona California are family, football, and future. Heading into the 2017 NFL Draft, all three have aligned for the young man.
Yes, there are detractors. He is described by some as “not mature enough”. I have spoken to the young man, and have found him to have wisdom and maturity well beyond his years.
With the First Pick
Some scouting reports have pointed to measurable deficits – whether ideal height or running speed. But in the actual game, he has been an impact player. The offense had to plan for Joe Mathis or pay the price of a quarterback sack. It’s not an opinion. Check out game films for yourself. A footrace on a track is not the same as running after a ball carrier.
One player does not usually have so much impact in a game, or on a team. Joe Mathis was such a player. From the moment he fell to injury, the University of Washington Huskies simply could not must the same amount of pressure on the quarterback. Ultimately, it was the defensive backs of the Washington Huskies who had to step up in Mathis’ absence.
One player.
Now that impact is about to climb into the NFL. And few know it’s happening. The Washington Huskies landed in the NCAA playoffs while Joe Mathis healed. Football cannot force him to the sidelines again.
Art For Art’s Sake
The ability of scouts to predict NFL performance is an art form. Sometime scouts get it right. Sometimes scouts get it wrong. They got it wrong on Richard Sherman, Russell Wilson, and Tom Brady.
This!!! pic.twitter.com/t4l9z9nGxn
— AnitaMarks (@AnitaMarks) March 4, 2017
What message does Joe Mathis want to send to the NFL?
On Notice
"“I want to put the NFL on notice that I am ready to contribute. Like most college programs, I waited my turn at the University of Washington. If we weren’t in the PAC-12 , we wouldn’t have face as many no huddle offenses. That rapid fire offense hinders defensive subsitutions, and forces starters into bearing the brunt of playing minutes. Even as I watched my teammates on the field, I know I can contribute. I know that I could take over in a game. It takes one play to disrupt the quarterback’s concentration. Even now, the true picture of me hasn’t developed yet. They haven’t seen the person I am today, nor who I will work my all to become in the NFL. In the end, you don’t want a player to focus on what he has done, but what he will do.” – Joe Mathis"
Big Time
On one hand, the 2017 NFL Draft is coming. Big headlines, big contracts, big splashes.
On the other hand, the biggest impact may very well occur to the team calling the name of Joe Mathis. I am not alone in this assessment. CBSSports.com Pete Prisco believes Joe Mathis is undervalued. Others have jumped on the bandwagon.
The upside of Joe Mathis is huge.