Pitt CB Damarri Mathis: ‘It Would Be Crazy’ to Be Drafted By Steelers
MOBILE, Ala. — Staying in Pittsburgh for Pitt players is not something that usually happens. Few have done it through the draft, while most of the Pitt alumni on the Steelers are undrafted free agents. James Conner broke the mold in that respect, but with prospects like Kenny Pickett in this year’s draft, the speculation will naturally come.
He is not the only Pitt prospect that might make sense for the Steelers, however. Pitt cornerback Damarri Mathis had a very strong first day of practice. While the talent Panthers product in from Florida, playing in Heinz Field yet again would be something that he can only imagine.
“It would be crazy,” Mathis said at the Senior Bowl on Wednesday. “It’s crazy to get drafted, but crazier to get drafted to the Steelers. Coming from Pitt and then going there, I’d be going crazy. Any team would be crazy, but that would be crazy to me.”
Being around the Steelers so much over his career, Mathis has met Mike Tomlin before. He knows the type of coach Tomlin is just by watching him. With such an inside, exclusive look of Tomlin and company, Mathis had nothing but good things to say about the Steelers’ coach.
“I know he’s a real player’s coach,” Mathis said. “I talked to him a little bit when I was at Pitt. He’s a really cool coach. Just that aspect of it is cool. Before practice yesterday, we spoke as well.”
Mathis is a guy who models his game after current Rams star cornerback Jalen Ramsey. That is the most common answer among all cornerbacks. Still, Mathis was able to speak to guys like Joe Haden to get a feel for the Steelers as well. If the Pitt cornerback comes to the Steelers, it might a schematic transition, but his versatility would serve him well.
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