Brian Kelly's LSU lands commitment from three-star DL Walter Mathis Jr. to the Class of 2025

By Maliha

Modified Sep 07, 2024 11:28 GMT

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Three-star Peach State defensive lineman Walter Mathis Jr., from Calvary Baptist Day High School in Savannah, Georgia, committed to LSU's 2025 class on Friday. He chose the Tigers over Miami, Auburn, South Carolina, Clemson, Alabama, Georgia, Texas and Oregon, among others.

The 6-foot-3, 285-pound Mathis has received more than 30 FBS offers till now. But after officially visiting LSU in June, he made up his mind that coach Brian Kelly's program would be the right fit for him. The commitment on Friday was a surprise for his mother.

“I wanted to surprise my mother,” Walter Mathis told On3. “She didn’t know anything about it. It was a total surprise to her. It was a big day for me, but an even bigger day for her.”

The 2024 season has already seen Mathis in action, and he is off to a strong start. The defensive lineman recorded 11 tackles (four solo tackles and seven assisted tackles), one sack and two quarterback hurries in two games this season. During his junior year, he registered 50 tackles, with 22 of them for a loss and six sacks.

According to the On3 Industry Ranking, Waletr Mathis is rated as the No. 456 overall player nationally, the No. 42 defensive lineman in the 2025 class and the No. 53 player overall in the state of Georgia.

Why did Walter Mathis Jr. choose LSU over other programs?

Walter Mathis Jr.'s commitment to LSU came after official visits to Miami, Clemson and Auburn. LSU defensive line coach Bo Davis and defensive coordinator Blake Baker's relentless efforts played roles behind his pledge.

“They made me feel wanted," Mathis told On3. "LSU liked me as a person and a player. I got to know coach Davis, he has recruited me hard since he got to LSU and I like who he is. He is a guy who produces defensive linemen to the NFL."

Mathis is now the 26th commitment in LSU’s 2025 recruiting class, which is currently ranked No. 3 in the nation, trailing only Ohio State and Alabama. In the SEC, the Tigers' recruiting class sits at No. 2.

“Coach Davis and the coaches at LSU made it known that they wanted me," Mathis said. "They recruited me hard, I liked being on the visits and LSU is just a good place to be.”

Walter Mathis joins a strong group of defensive tackles already committed to LSU, including Dilan Battle, Brandon Brown and Zion Williams. Both Williams and Brown were initially rated as three-star recruits but were quickly reevaluated and elevated to four-star status by several recruiting outlets. The same expectation now hovers around Mathis.