Scott Frost reveals how Ochaun Mathis addition is already paying off

Nebraska coach Scott Frost went portaling for pass rushing talent this spring and scored big with TCU transfer Ochaun Mathis. By the head coach’s account, Mathis is already a huge boost to the defense not just for his play, but also for his demeanor and attitude around the team.

At a recent press conference, Frost explained why the former Horned Frog made such a difference so far.

“Ochaun has got elite talent. And just a great guy. You talk about someone who’s come in and adopted the culture and fit in with the guys and been a good teammate from day one here. Ochaun is one of those guys. And we have several of them.

Mathis is also helping raise the level of play across the defensive line.

“Maybe the best thing about getting Ochaun here is I’ve really seen Garrett [Nelson] and Caleb [Tannor] and Jimari [Butler] and Blaise [Gunnerson]— their game step up. I don’t know if him getting added to the equation motivated them or not. Maybe they’d have been doing the same thing. But it’s great to watch those guys work. That’s a position I feel great about because of the depth and the talent that we have.”

HUGE portal pickup for Scott Frost and the Huskers.

JD PicKell on Ochaun Mathis’ upside

On3’s own JD PicKell also had high words to say of the new Nebraska edge rusher:

“He’s going to bring to the table is an enormous boost for this Nebraska pass rush, that was I think like 86 a year ago, in terms of sack percentage,” said PicKell. “They were bad in the front seven; they’re going to be a lot better because of him, and because of what he brings to the table.

“At the very least he’s going to command more double teams. Not every snap, not every game, but at different times they’re going to have to double 32. And when they do that, it frees up other guys in your front seven go and make plays. So at the very least he’s going to command attention and make this defense better just by being on the field.”

Some believed that the former TCU Horned Frog would have ended up with the Texas Longhorns after his former head coach Gary Patterson joined them this offseason. However, that did not end up being the case, and Mathis will now face off against the Big Ten’s best.