Phidarian Mathis gives surprising response to being selected in second round

Former Alabama defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis is heading to the NFL, and he is joining the Washington Commanders after being selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Mathis wasn’t expecting to be selected that early on, so it was a little bit of a surprise when he got the call on draft night.

“It was crazy, man,” Mathis started. “Most definitely wasn’t expected, especially not that early. So man, it was crazy for me and my family. It’s a big blessing. I’m just happy to be a part of a great team and man I can’t wait to step foot in the door.

“I was thinking at least third, somewhere in the third round. Third or fourth round. That was just me and my agent, that’s what we thought. That’s just feedback we was getting. So it most definitely wasn’t expected that early. I was actually sitting down, I had just sat down in the chair and started watching the draft again. I’m thinking it’s one of my friends or family members just calling me because I got two phones. So I each in my pocket, I see the number like, ‘Oh, this ain’t no saved number.’ When he said my name, I got jumping around, man. I knew what time it was.”

Mathis is coming off of a good season with the Crimson Tide, totaling 53 tackles with 10.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Now, he is heading to the Commanders and looking to make an impact right away.

Mathis on why the Commanders drafted him so early

When the Commanders called Mathis and selected him in the second round, emotions overcame him and his family. Mathis recalls his mom starting the crying, and he didn’t hold off long after her.

“It was a whole lot of tears,” said Mathis. “My mom crying, so I already knew what time it was. When she’s crying I’m gonna cry. So man it was a lot of emotions behind it, because like I said, it wasn’t expected that early. So man it’s been a big blessing. Tears of joy.”

With the Commanders, Mathis joins fellow former Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. Washington also has receiver Cam Sims, and the Commanders also selected running back Brian Robinson Jr. in the third round of the draft.

Mathis is confident in himself on and off the field, and he believes that the impact he left behind at Alabama is a key reason for the Commanders taking him so early.

“Because they know about my leadership, they know I’m a hard worker, they know I love football, they know that I’m a great role model,” Mathis said. “So that’s just the things they told me. But I knew that because everybody in Alabama, I know they talk good about me and I know I left a mark there where everybody will talk highly on me. That’s just what type of guy I am.

“I’m just gonna take whatever comes to me and I’m gonna go in and just do my job. Whatever coach asks me, I’m doing it. So whatever my role is, that’s what I’m coming to do and I’m gonna put my best foot forward no matter what.”