Mason Mathis

Physical Profile

Possesses an elite frame for an offensive tackle at a verified 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds. His size is his calling card, and he carries the weight well. His background as a state-level powerlifter is evident in his functional strength; a 360-pound bench press and 310-pound clean as a junior are tangible indicators of his raw power. While not a fleet-footed athlete, his size and strength provide a strong foundation for development at the highest level of college football.

Play Style

Mathis is a mauler in the run game. He excels at using his size and strength to displace defenders and create running lanes. On film, he is consistently the bigger and stronger player on the field, and he uses this to his advantage. His team's offensive success, averaging 296.4 rushing yards per game, was a direct result of the dominance of the offensive line which he anchored. He is a physical finisher who plays with a mean streak and looks to put defenders on the ground.

Strengths

• Verified size and elite raw strength for the position, with a 6-foot-6, 320-pound frame and impressive powerlifting numbers (405-pound bench press, 545-pound squat).
• Effective run blocker at the high school level, generating movement at the point of attack and finishing blocks, as evidenced by his 68 pancake blocks his senior year.
• Multi-sport background in powerlifting suggests a strong work ethic in the weight room and provides a translatable athletic foundation.

Areas to Improve

• Technique, particularly in pass protection, which is common for high school linemen with his physical advantages.
• Level of competition faced in high school raises questions about his transition to the SEC; he will need to adapt to the speed and skill of collegiate defensive linemen.
• Agility and foot-speed will need refinement to handle speed rushers off the edge at the next level.

College Projection

Mathis projects as a developmental offensive tackle at the SEC level. Given his raw physical tools, he will likely require a redshirt year to refine his technique, particularly his footwork and hand placement in pass protection. His immediate value will be on the scout team, where he can acclimate to the speed of the college game. With proper development, he has the potential to work his way into the two-deep by his second or third year and could become a solid starting right tackle in a run-heavy offensive scheme later in his collegiate career.

Best Fit

A program with a strong emphasis on physical, downhill running and a proven track record of developing offensive linemen. His skill set is best maximized in a gap or power-running scheme where his primary responsibility is to create movement at the point of attack rather than pass-blocking in space. Auburn's system under a coach known for a physical brand of football is a good fit for his long-term development.