Overpowering Georgia 2025 DL Walter Mathis covers Clemson visit
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Off the snap of the ball, Walter Mathis is in the chest of opposing offensive linemen before they are close to being set. Once engaged, Mathis (6-3, 285) overpowers whoever is unlucky enough to get the rising Calvary Day (Savannah, Ga.) superstar’s assignment. After the win at the line of scrimmage, Mathis has a nonstop motor with linebacker closing speed. It all adds up to an elite prospect in the 2025 class high-profile teams across the country are trying to get.
The Cavaliers were perfect during the regular season against 3A competition behind a defense that only allowed 52 points in 10 contests.
Mathis followed up a breakout sophomore campaign putting down 34 ball carriers, 16 solo, with 12.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, and 13 QB hurries in stats posted through seven games.
“I feel like I have improved a lot from last season taking on bigger role,” Mathis said. “I am taking on double teams, working over one person, and my moves have improved. This season I have a better overall game as a defensive lineman.”
Savannah Christian is one of the teams to take a blunt blow from Mathis this fall.
“My best performance was against Savannah Christian; they are our rival school,” Mathis stated. “They have the No. 1 player in 2025 on their team (DL Elijah Griffin); a lot of college scouts were watching that game. I proved myself as I always do in front of everyone.”
Against the Raiders, Mathis was credited with six stops, a tackle for a loss, and four quarterback hurries.
Teams have laid down 28 offers for the three-star.
“College coaches are telling me they like the way I get off, they like that I can play any position on the d-line, they like my versatility and my motor.”
LSU and Penn State are among the teams tracking Mathis’ progress. Meanwhile, heavy hitters in the SEC and ACC are wasting no time building bonds.
Asked which teams are in regular contact, Mathis replied, “Definitely Georgia, Bama, Clemson, South Carolina, and Florida.”
Mathis was in Clemson Memorial Stadium last weekend to see the big win over the Fighting Irish.
“I went to the Clemson-Notre Dame game, that was my first visit this season,” Mathis stated. “I won’t go on anymore until after the season; I am focused on the playoffs.”
Details to the Clemson visit were shared, “It was great. I was there for the whole weekend. The Notre Dame game, that was a great game. Watching that, being in that atmosphere, the players showed how much they wanted it.”
Time was spent with Clemson’s coaching staff.
“I talked to coach (Nick) Eason (DT) and I talked to coach (Dabo) Swinney for about 10 minutes,” Mathis said. “Coach Swinney talked about the direction of the program, how I can be a game changer for the program, and stuff like that.”
The strong worded compliment and the victory over Notre Dame helped bond player with coaching staff.
“I feel like, after going up there for the first time, our relationship really grew,” Mathis shared. “Spending the weekend up there and talking with the coaches made everything better.”
With trips on hold for now, college programs are heading to Savannah to see Mathis.
“South Carolina came, Clemson came, and Georgia,” Mathis stated.
When trips start happening again for Mathis, he has a handful earmarked.
“Georgia, Alabama, I want to go to Florida, Miami, and South Carolina,” Mathis said. “I want to go a little bit of everywhere.”
Beyond the Interview
Mathis had a big sophomore year tallying 48 stops, 23 solo, with 19.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, and 12 QB hurries. More time was put into the weight room over the offseason reporting a 410-pound bench press and a 585-pound squat max.”