Zach Mathis
| No. 81 Edmonton Elks | |
| Born: | February 29, 2000 Tampa, Florida, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Status | Active |
| CFL status | National |
| Position(s) | WR |
| Height | 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) |
| Weight | 203 lb (92 kg) |
| College | North Dakota State (2018–2023) |
| High school | Berkeley Prep (Tampa, FL) |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2024–present | Edmonton Elks |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Career stats | |
| |
Zach Mathis (born February 29, 2000) is a Canadian-American professional football wide receiver for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at North Dakota State.
Early life
[edit]Mathis played high school football at Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, Florida, and was a four-year letterman and two-year starter.[1] He caught 20 passes for 351 yards and five touchdowns as a senior. He was invited to the Blue-Grey All-American Game. Mathis earned honorable mention all-county honors in both football and basketball in high school.[1]
College career
[edit]Mathis played college football for the North Dakota State Bison from 2018 to 2023.[2][3][4] He played in one game in 2018, but did not record a catch, and was redshirted.[1] He appeared in nine games in 2019 and totaled five receptions for 79 yards. Mathis played in North Dakota State's only game of the fall 2020 season, and caught one pass for 16 yards.[1] The rest of the 2020 season was moved to spring 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Mathis did not appear in any games in spring 2021 due to injury.[1][5] He played in 12 games, starting two, during the fall 2021 season, recording eight receptions for 112 yards.
Mathis played in all 15 games, starting 10, in 2022, totaling 35 receptions for 520 yards and three touchdowns.[1] He led the team in receptions and receiving yards and finished second in receiving touchdowns.[6][1] He caught seven passes for 123 yards in the national championship game loss to South Dakota State. Mathis was also named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference Honor Roll that season. He appeared in all 15 games, starting 13 games, in 2023, catching 46 catches for 665 yards and six touchdowns. He led the Bison in receptions and receiving touchdowns while finishing second in receiving yards.[1] Mathis was also one of six team captains that season.[1]
Professional career
[edit]After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL draft, Mathis attended rookie minicamp on a tryout basis with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[7][8]
On June 29, 2024, the Edmonton Elks forfeited their first round pick in the 2025 CFL Draft to select Mathis in a supplemental draft.[9][10] He officially signed with the team on July 7.[11]
Personal life
[edit]In 2024, Mathis acquired his Canadian citizenship via parental birth.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Zach Mathis". gobison.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ Peterson, Eric (September 14, 2022). "Bison receiver Zach Mathis healthy, making most of opportunities for big plays". inforum.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ Peterson, Eric (August 3, 2023). "Bison 6-foot-7 receiver Zach Mathis ready to lead, thrive entering his 6th season". inforum.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ Kolpack, Jeff (December 1, 2022). "Healthy season, radio experience helped Bison WR Mathis with eligibility decision". inforum.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ "NDSU's Mathis Back Healthy This Spring After Multiple Injury Setbacks". kvrr.com. April 6, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ "North Dakota State Bison Player Stats 2022". espn.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ "Zach Mathis". draftscout.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ "Elks select WR Zach Mathis in supplemental draft". cfl.ca. June 29, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ "Edmonton Elks take receiver Mathis in CFL supplemental draft". thespec.com. June 29, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ a b "Edmonton Elks forfeit 2025 first-round pick to select REC Zach Mathis in supplemental draft". 3downnation.com. June 29, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ "Edmonton Elks Transactions". footballdb.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.