2025 4-star EDGE Zahir Mathis commits to Ohio State

Philadelphia Imhotep Institute four-star EDGE Zahir Mathis has committed to Ohio State, choosing the Buckeyes over Florida State, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

The 6-foot-5, 230-pounder visited Columbus earlier this summer for a recruiting camp with the Buckeyes. There, he had the chance to work with Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson.

“It was great to get out here on the campus and everything like that with ‘Larry Legend,’” Mathis told Lettermen Row. “Had a perfect time. He coached me up, did me justice, everything like that. Had some good reps on 1-on-1s, ups and downs and everything like that.”

He continued about Johnson:

“I learned a lot,” Mathis said. “He helped me out with my technique. I had bad footwork, so he helped me out with that. Stance-wise, helped me out. He helped me get off the ball faster and everything like that.

“So it was pretty great.”

For more Ohio State recruiting intel, check out Lettermen Row.

Mathis is the No. 55 overall prospect and No. 7 EDGE in the 2025 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the top-ranked player in Pennsylvania.

Mathis has an On3 NIL Valuation of $71K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.

Buckeyes’ 2025 class

Ohio State is off to a hot start with the 2025 recruiting class, currently ranking No. 2 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. The Buckeyes added Houston North Shore 2025 five-star cornerback Devin Sanchez on Saturday during the All-American Bowl.

Sanchez was at the time the fifth prospect to commit to Ohio State’s 2025 class. He joined Bellefontaine (Ohio) top-20 quarterback Tavien St. Clair, Baltimore St. Frances Academy four-star cornerback Blake Woodby, Cocoa (Fla.) four-star wide receiver Jayvan Boggs and Akron (Ohio) Archbishop Hoban three-star linebacker Eli Lee.