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Top uncommitted EDGE Zahir Mathis takes official visit to Florida State

hunterby:Hunter Shelton•about 13 hours•

HunterShelton_

zahir-mathis
Defensive lineman Zahir Mathis (Credit: Ryan Snyder | Blue White Illustrated)

Philadelphia Imhotep Institute four-star EDGE Zahir Mathis is the top uncommitted blue-chipper in the 2025 cycle.

The former Ohio State commit came back on the board in November and is now using January as one final month to get on the road and see some other top schools. He’s lined up multiple official visits this month, the first of which came this weekend at Florida State.

FSU isn’t brand new in Mathis’ recruitment, but interest certainly picked up once he decommitted from the Buckeyes. Recruiting in the 2025 cycle has been tumultuous for head coach Mike Norvell and his staff, but they could end it on a high note by adding the 6-foot-5.5, 230-pounder.

“Florida State is really good for me,” Mathis told On3 last month at the Under Armour All-America Game. “They reached out to me before I committed there to Ohio State, and they fell back after the commitment. Once I decommitted, they were on top of it and we have a good base right now.”

The Seminoles managed to rise to No. 20 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings following a successful National Signing Day. Their class features 20 signees, including a pair of blue-chip EDGEs in Tampa Gaither four-star LaJesse Harrold and Milton (Fla.) Pace four-star Tylon Lee.

More visits on deck for Mathis this month

Up next for Mathis is a cross-country trip to California, as he’ll take an official visit to UCLA on Jan. 18. The following two weekends, he’ll head to Ann Arbor and College Park for OVs with Michigan and Maryland.

Oregon and Florida were also mentioned as programs that’ve been in contact late in Mathis’ process. The Keystone State prospect is looking to get on the field early wherever he lands at the next level.

“I’d say it’s definitely about playing time and getting on the field,” Mathis said of what he’s looking for in a school. “NIL, it plays a part but that’s not really my main goal. I definitely could tell you that it’s all about the love and connection with the coaches. That’s not me counting out my decommitment from Ohio State. It’s still all love with Coach Larry Johnson. … But it’s just about me opening my recruitment. I’m still opened to Ohio State but it’s about the love, respect and playing time.”

Mathis is the No. 119 overall prospect and No. 16 EDGE in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 3 player in Pennsylvania.