The 50-day countdown to the return of Alabama football continues with a defensive player.
RELATED: Alabama DL Tim Smith starts 50-day countdown to Tide football
After looking at Tim Smith (No. 50) and Isaiah Buggs (No. 49), former Crimson Tide defensive end Phidarian Mathis reminds us we are 48 days until Alabama takes the field for the regular season. Mathis, a four-star in the 2017 signing class, came to the Tide as a Louisiana native. He was on two College Football Playoff National Championship teams (2017, 2020), but his impact was felt more in the 2020 championship group. Mathis played on three Southeastern Conference titles teams in 2018, 2020, and 2021.
48 days until Alabama football. pic.twitter.com/O3BnEjfKwg
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) July 16, 2023
He emerged as a playmaker in 2020, recording 31 tackles, five tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, and a forced fumble. In his final season, he became Alabama’s most consistent defensive lineman.
RELATED: Former Alabama DL Isaiah Buggs continues 50-day countdown to football season
Mathis had 53 tackles, 12 stops for loss, nine sacks, six quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble in 2021. He got selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders. Mathis suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee in his rookie debut and missed the rest of the season. He is now healthy and looks forward to harassing quarterbacks.
Click here to follow the Bama Elite Podcast
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
