Rashean Mathis

Lore & Background

Mathis attended Englewood High School in Jacksonville. During the seventh game of his senior year, he broke his leg after his ankle dislocated on a kick return. All of his major scholarship offers were rescinded, including Florida State, though Florida State offered a walk-on position. He instead accepted a scholarship from D-II program Bethune-Cookman University. As a freshman in 1999, he fully recovered and played as a cornerback and returner, earning the nickname 'Show-time' after scoring a touchdown on his first collegiate punt return. He moved to free safety as a sophomore. As a senior in 2002, he led Bethune-Cookman to an 11–2 record and a MEAC Championship, and set the NCAA Division I-AA single-season record with 14 interceptions and 667 interception return yards. He became the first defensive back to win the Buck Buchanan Award. He holds the career interceptions record for all Division I football divisions with 31.

In Their Own Story

The humid air inside TIAA Bank Field grew thick with anticipation as the opposing quarterback dropped back, eyes scanning for an opening. Rashean Mathis didn't blink; he simply adjusted his helmet, reading the route before it was even run. With a burst of speed that silenced the crowd for a split second, he broke on the ball, snatching the pass from thin air and sprinting downfield, a teal streak of pure defensive dominance.

Reader's Guide

Mathis was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round (39th overall) of the 2003 NFL draft. He signed a four-year, $3.17 million rookie contract on July 24, 2003. He started all 16 games as a rookie in 2003, recording 81 combined tackles, nine pass deflections, and two interceptions. In 2004, he started all 16 games and recorded 64 combined tackles, 21 pass deflections, five interceptions, and one forced fumble. On August 24, 2005, he signed a five-year, $25.50 million contract extension. In 2005, he returned an interception for his first career touchdown in a 23–17 overtime victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Did You Know?

• Mathis was the first defensive back in history to receive the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in NCAA FCS Division I-AA.
• He holds the career interceptions record for all Division I football divisions with 31 interceptions.
• Mathis was ranked as the top free safety prospect by DraftScout.com and the second best safety by NFL analyst Mike Mayock ahead of the 2003 NFL draft.