Mathews hungry to prove himself

Jacoby Mathews always knew he wanted to play for DJ Durkin.

Now he’s getting a second chance to do so.

The former Texas A&M starter and 5-star recruit announced plans earlier this week to resume his college career at Auburn beginning this fall. During an exclusive interview with Auburn Live/AuburnSports.com Thursday, Mathews said his respect for Durkin, who signed him to Texas A&M and now coordinates the Tigers’ defense, and assistant coach T.J. Rushing made the difference.

“It was pretty much no-brainer to hit up Coach Rushing and Coach ‘Durk’ and take a shot at playing in their defense again,” Mathews said during a segment on the Auburn Live Show at Noon. “They made sure to hurry up and get me out there on a visit so I could come see what Auburn was about and everything. From then, I made my mind up that it was just going to be Auburn. They know me in and out. They know any personal battles I’ve had. Coach ‘Durk,’ I trust him more than anything in this world, honestly.”

Mathews signed with the Aggies in 2022 out of Ponchatoula High School in Mississippi as the nation’s top-rated safety. He served primarily as a backup during his freshman season, but started the final nine games of the Aggies’ 2023 campaign. He logged 510 snaps (at three different positions) and finished with a PFF grade of 72.7.

That was the team’s fourth-best figure among starters — with the other three (linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson and defensive end Shemar Cooper) eventually becoming early-round NFL Draft picks. Still, the Aggies finished just 7-6 in 2023 and head coach Jimbo Fisher was fired at season’s end.

Mathews felt moved to make a move.

“It was like a party atmosphere. It was easy to get carried away,” Mathews said. “You are a part of who you’re around every day. We had all the talent. I didn’t think there was any focus there. I knew I wasn’t focused being around guys who weren’t focused themselves.”

LONG JOURNEY BACK

He hit the transfer portal that winter, but his journey then hit a snag. Mathews didn’t go to class and fell behind in his schoolwork. He ceded his academic eligibility and spent last season at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College working to regain it.

He fully shoulders the blame for a lost season.

“I thought once I hit the transfer portal, I’m safe. That led me to have to make up for everything,” Mathews said. “A lot of that was reacting off emotions. If I had just thought more, I would have figured out how to go about things in a better way. I never point the finger; a lot of it had to do with being a little immature.”

Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said he’s satisfied that Mathews has learned from everything he’s experienced during the past year. Going from an up-and-coming star to nearly forgotten over the span of six months, he said, give Mathews some unique motivation to be a better player, a better person and a better teammate.

“We had some great heart-to-hearts,” Freeze said. “I believe with all my heart that he understands this is his last chance. I think he’s learned a lesson — and adding another elite safety to that group is beneficial to us. So we’re excited to give him a chance.”

MULTI-TALENTED PERFORMER

Mathews played free safety, strong safety and nickel during his two seasons at Texas A&M, though he expects to play free safety in 2025. That will put him in direct competition with junior Sylvester Smith and Georgia Tech transfer Taye Seymore.

Still, Mathews said he’s here to do whatever Durkin needs.

“I pride myself on being able to do it all,” he said.

Mathews is planning to move in next week.