The national level recruits coming out of Cass Tech the past few seasons has been amazing. ... 99% of high school football coaches are lucky to have one
"big time" kid come through every 10-15 years .... Coach Wilcher at CT has had 6 or 7 in the past 3 seasons.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Sam Webb: Recruiting
Division I powers pursue Cass Tech's speedy Mathis
Detroit Cass Tech has long held a reputation as one of the most talent-rich football pipelines in the state. So consistent is the school's production that many college coaches stop in religiously every year.
Technicians head coach Thomas Wilcher loses William Campbell, Teric Jones and Thomas Gordon from his 2008 playoff team, but his cupboard isn't bare. His 2009 club will also feature a few major Division I prospects, headlined by 5-foot-8, 170-pound cornerback Dior Mathis.
Mathis was known more for his standout track performances his first two years in high school, but that changed in a hurry during his junior season. He had a breakout campaign on the gridiron, grabbing an impressive eight interceptions and also moonlighting as a big-play threat on offense.
"I think it went good this year," Mathis said. "(In 2007) I didn't really do too good. This was my first year playing corner. Just because it was my first year, I think I did pretty good."
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Mathis' improvement was largely the product of the great strides he made in the weight room. The 22 pounds of muscle he added during the offseason made him a sturdier presence on the corner and helped him begin shedding the "just a speed guy" label. There are still size and strength gains to be made, but his coach believes he is well on his way to becoming an outstanding prospect.
"I think Dior Mathis is going to be a big-time player," said Wilcher. "He just got a letter to be invited to (next year's) Under Armour (All American) game. That's huge right there. Dior has a lot of (scholarship) offers. I just think he's got to maintain himself, maintain his composure, keep his head straight, and try to really focus on the goal of going to college. Hard work pays off and he has got to be a student-athlete first."
College coaches and scouts share Wilcher's belief in Mathis' potential. They've already seen enough to rank him among the most talented players in his class.
"He's one of the top five to six juniors in the state and I think he could move a tad higher with a good senior season," said Scout.com Midwest analyst Allen Trieu. "His main asset is his sprinter's speed, but he also has very good footwork and the type of fluid hips which are vital for a top cornerback. Despite his lack of great size, he still comes up and puts his hands on receivers. I also love his feisty, competitive attitude. The one area of improvement I see with him is run support."
Opponents often try to take advantage of Mathis' lack of size by running to his side or matching him up with big receivers. It's a challenge that his former teammate and current Michigan player Boubacar Cissoko has had to face throughout his career. Cissoko overcame that challenge en route to becoming an All-America. For Mathis, that is an example of how diminutive stature doesn't always correlate to being overmatched. Cissoko's thirst for physical play manifested itself both in the abandon with which he attacked ball carriers and blockers, and in his willingness to jam receivers. That love for contact is a trait Cissoko tried to pass on to Mathis. Some of it apparently wore off.
"He isn't as big and strong as Boubacar, but they are about the same height," said Trieu. "They share some similarities in that they like to play up on their man and use their hands. Dior is faster straight line, while Boubacar might be a tad better with his footwork. But Dior will tell you Boubacar has something to do with the way he plays. When watching him, it is obvious that there was some influence there."
Said Mathis to Scout.com: "Honestly, it's all about who has the heart. You can be the littlest guy (and still be physical). From watching Boubacar, he doesn't have that much size. He made me work even harder."
Mathis' tenacious mentality and 10.47 100-meter speed were on display at a number of camps and combines over the past year. His ability to stay in the hip pocket of practically every receiver he faced was enough to garner offers from Michigan, Cincinnati, Iowa, Tennessee, Oregon and Miami (Fla.) before the New Year. He gave serious consideration to ending his recruitment early by committing to the Hurricanes, but in the end he thought it more prudent to further evaluate his options.
"It really wasn't the right time and my head wasn't really right," Mathis explained. "I was trying to focus on my grades instead of worrying about football at that time. I had to sit down with my parents, my coach and talk about it. I'm interested in every school that offers me, but there are only a couple of schools that stand out really. Right now those schools are Florida, Miami, Michigan and Ohio State."
Each of those schools will have to work hard to maintain its position as new suitors enter the equation. In Michigan's case, the Wolverines will get a little help from a few of Mathis' classmates. Wolverine commitments Teric Jones and Thomas Gordon aren't shy about sharing their opinions about where they think their young comrade should go.
"Every time they come around, they always tell me, 'Go Blue,' " Mathis said.
As appealing as possibility playing with his high school teammates is, Mathis insists there are other factors that will carry more weight in his final decision.
"The education is first for my parents and my coach," he said. "They always stay on me about that, so education first. The second thing is, am I going to be able to play as a freshman? The third thing is I want to win a national championship. Those are really the main three goals right now going into college. I'm just going to take my time, focus on my grades and wait until my senior year (to make a decision)."
With the Army combine now behind him, Mathis' athletic focus has shifted to the track and to the weight room. The desire to be the best is ample motivation for him to put in the work necessary, but it's not the only source of that he draws from. Three losses to Detroit Southeastern last season, including the 40-0 drubbing in the playoffs, has left with him a sinking feeling he just can't shake.
"That game motivates me a lot," he admitted. "I know what I have to do to push us extra hard and to win."
Sam Webb is managing editor of GoBlueWolverine magazine and GoBlueWolverine.com, and co-host of the "Michigan Insider" morning show weekdays on Sports Talk 1050 WTKA. His column appears every Thursday.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Sam Webb: Recruiting
Division I powers pursue Cass Tech's speedy Mathis
Detroit Cass Tech has long held a reputation as one of the most talent-rich football pipelines in the state. So consistent is the school's production that many college coaches stop in religiously every year.
Technicians head coach Thomas Wilcher loses William Campbell, Teric Jones and Thomas Gordon from his 2008 playoff team, but his cupboard isn't bare. His 2009 club will also feature a few major Division I prospects, headlined by 5-foot-8, 170-pound cornerback Dior Mathis.
Mathis was known more for his standout track performances his first two years in high school, but that changed in a hurry during his junior season. He had a breakout campaign on the gridiron, grabbing an impressive eight interceptions and also moonlighting as a big-play threat on offense.
"I think it went good this year," Mathis said. "(In 2007) I didn't really do too good. This was my first year playing corner. Just because it was my first year, I think I did pretty good."
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Mathis' improvement was largely the product of the great strides he made in the weight room. The 22 pounds of muscle he added during the offseason made him a sturdier presence on the corner and helped him begin shedding the "just a speed guy" label. There are still size and strength gains to be made, but his coach believes he is well on his way to becoming an outstanding prospect.
"I think Dior Mathis is going to be a big-time player," said Wilcher. "He just got a letter to be invited to (next year's) Under Armour (All American) game. That's huge right there. Dior has a lot of (scholarship) offers. I just think he's got to maintain himself, maintain his composure, keep his head straight, and try to really focus on the goal of going to college. Hard work pays off and he has got to be a student-athlete first."
College coaches and scouts share Wilcher's belief in Mathis' potential. They've already seen enough to rank him among the most talented players in his class.
"He's one of the top five to six juniors in the state and I think he could move a tad higher with a good senior season," said Scout.com Midwest analyst Allen Trieu. "His main asset is his sprinter's speed, but he also has very good footwork and the type of fluid hips which are vital for a top cornerback. Despite his lack of great size, he still comes up and puts his hands on receivers. I also love his feisty, competitive attitude. The one area of improvement I see with him is run support."
Opponents often try to take advantage of Mathis' lack of size by running to his side or matching him up with big receivers. It's a challenge that his former teammate and current Michigan player Boubacar Cissoko has had to face throughout his career. Cissoko overcame that challenge en route to becoming an All-America. For Mathis, that is an example of how diminutive stature doesn't always correlate to being overmatched. Cissoko's thirst for physical play manifested itself both in the abandon with which he attacked ball carriers and blockers, and in his willingness to jam receivers. That love for contact is a trait Cissoko tried to pass on to Mathis. Some of it apparently wore off.
"He isn't as big and strong as Boubacar, but they are about the same height," said Trieu. "They share some similarities in that they like to play up on their man and use their hands. Dior is faster straight line, while Boubacar might be a tad better with his footwork. But Dior will tell you Boubacar has something to do with the way he plays. When watching him, it is obvious that there was some influence there."
Said Mathis to Scout.com: "Honestly, it's all about who has the heart. You can be the littlest guy (and still be physical). From watching Boubacar, he doesn't have that much size. He made me work even harder."
Mathis' tenacious mentality and 10.47 100-meter speed were on display at a number of camps and combines over the past year. His ability to stay in the hip pocket of practically every receiver he faced was enough to garner offers from Michigan, Cincinnati, Iowa, Tennessee, Oregon and Miami (Fla.) before the New Year. He gave serious consideration to ending his recruitment early by committing to the Hurricanes, but in the end he thought it more prudent to further evaluate his options.
"It really wasn't the right time and my head wasn't really right," Mathis explained. "I was trying to focus on my grades instead of worrying about football at that time. I had to sit down with my parents, my coach and talk about it. I'm interested in every school that offers me, but there are only a couple of schools that stand out really. Right now those schools are Florida, Miami, Michigan and Ohio State."
Each of those schools will have to work hard to maintain its position as new suitors enter the equation. In Michigan's case, the Wolverines will get a little help from a few of Mathis' classmates. Wolverine commitments Teric Jones and Thomas Gordon aren't shy about sharing their opinions about where they think their young comrade should go.
"Every time they come around, they always tell me, 'Go Blue,' " Mathis said.
As appealing as possibility playing with his high school teammates is, Mathis insists there are other factors that will carry more weight in his final decision.
"The education is first for my parents and my coach," he said. "They always stay on me about that, so education first. The second thing is, am I going to be able to play as a freshman? The third thing is I want to win a national championship. Those are really the main three goals right now going into college. I'm just going to take my time, focus on my grades and wait until my senior year (to make a decision)."
With the Army combine now behind him, Mathis' athletic focus has shifted to the track and to the weight room. The desire to be the best is ample motivation for him to put in the work necessary, but it's not the only source of that he draws from. Three losses to Detroit Southeastern last season, including the 40-0 drubbing in the playoffs, has left with him a sinking feeling he just can't shake.
"That game motivates me a lot," he admitted. "I know what I have to do to push us extra hard and to win."
Sam Webb is managing editor of GoBlueWolverine magazine and GoBlueWolverine.com, and co-host of the "Michigan Insider" morning show weekdays on Sports Talk 1050 WTKA. His column appears every Thursday.
