Tag: jacoby mathews

Report: Oregon is a leading candidate for Texas A&M transfer safety Jacoby Mathews

A safety transfer for Oregon? It’s looking like the Ducks might be in the market.

At 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16th, the spring transfer portal window opened, which means madness across the college football world is about to ensue. For the Oregon Ducks, there are already some storylines to follow. First, Andrew Paul — a Georgia Bulldogs running back — hit the portal, and the Ducks are on the early shortlist of candidates to bring him in.

But, perhaps even more intriguing is Jacoby Mathews, a former Texas A&M safety who told Steve Wiltfong of On3Sports that he is considering Oregon and Florida State as his next schools.

Mathews is a junior safety from Ponchatoula, Louisana. During his high school recruitment, Mathews was initially committed to LSU before he flipped to Texas A&M. In two seasons with the Aggies, Mathews tallied 66 total tackles, 5 pass breakups, and an interception. 42 of those tackles and the interception came in 2023, Mathews’ sophomore season.

Mathews is a hybrid safety, who seems to feel equally comfortable against the run and the pass. Mathews is at his best in coverage and when pursuing ball carriers, using his speed and quickness to track the ball and track his opponents to prevent big gains.

At safety in 2024, Oregon is returning senior Tysheem Johnson, a hard-hitter who’s decent in coverage, and bringing in senior Kobe Savage, a ball hawk with some speed from Kansas State. The rest of the Ducks safety room is quite young, so the addition of Mathews would add valuable experience to the Oregon secondary next season and beyond.

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Texas A&M safety has officially entered the transfer portal

Texas A&M safety Jacoby Mathews has officially entered the spring transfer portal, as expected

Well, it’s official, but expected, as Texas A&M safety Jacoby Mathews has officially entered the transfer portal according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett, as the spring portal has re-opened until April 30.

During his two seasons in College Station, Mathews (6-2, 205 pounds) recorded 67 tackles, seven pass deflections and an interception for his short Aggies career. While the hope was for a potential return, new head coach Mike Elko has already done a fantastic job acquiring veteran safety talent through the portal since taking over in late Nov.

As a high-four-star prospect within former head coach Jimbo Fisher’s legendary 2022 recruiting class, Mathews began to ascend the depth chart during his 2023 sophomore season, receiving most of the starting snaps at free safety after Jardin Gilbert’s injury. However, once the safety depth chart expanded this offseason, nothing was guaranteed in 2024.

According to On3’s Steve Wiltfong, Mathews is now a favorite land, with either Florida State or Oregon, and both programs need starting-level safety production next season.

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What will Texas A&M safeties room look like if junior Jacoby Mathews transfers in spring portal?

Mike Elko, Jay Bateman, Ishmael Aristide and Jordan Peterson are assessing what the Aggies safeties room will look like if Mathews departs.

Following the 2023 regular season, former Texas A&M junior safety Jardin Gilbert returned home and chose LSU in the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Now Gilbert’s presumed replacement at starting safety is potentially departing from College Station as well. Jacoby Mathews entered the spring transfer portal on Saturday afternoon.

While the incoming junior could still return, head coach Mike Elko, defensive coordinator Jay Bateman and co-defensive backs coaches Ishmael Aristide & Jordan Peterson are likely currently assessing what the Aggies safeties room will look like if Mathews does find a new home.

Gilbert is gone, Mathews is in the portal and incoming junior Jarred Kerr remains from the 2023 roster. Transfers include seniors Trey Jones from Central Michigan & De’Rickey Wright from Vanderbilt.

As a Texas A&M staff member texted Aggies Today on Saturday, “Don’t forget about (incoming sophomore) Dalton Brooks. He’s an all-conference player.”

According to TexAgs executive editor Billy Liucci on X, Mathews’ decision to enter the portal “had a lot more to do with no adjusting to heightened expectations inside the program in all areas.”

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

Texas A&M safety will reportedly enter the transfer portal

One’s Hayes Fawcett has released that Texas A&M safety Jacoby Mathews, a poised starter next season, will enter the transfer portal.

Texas A&M will reportedly lose one of its top defensive playmakers, as incoming junior safety Jacoby Mathews has entered the transfer portal, as On3’s Hayes Fawcett was the first to report the news.

As a high-4-star prospect within head coach Jimbo Fisher’s legendary 2022 recruiting class, Mathews began to ascend the depth chart during his 2023 sophomore season, receiving most of the starting snaps at free safety after Jardin Gilbert’s injury.

Standing at 6-2 and 205 pounds, Mathews is looked to be a perfect fit in new Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko’s defense, but after acquiring three veteran safety transfers from the portal this offseason, Mathew’s starting spot wasn’t as guaranteed as some may have thought.

During his two seasons in Aggieland, Mathews recorded 67 tackles, seven pass deflections and an interception for his Aggie career. While Jacoby certainly has the opportunity to return to the program, due to the new spring transfer period rule, Mathews is prohibited from transferring to another SEC program during said period.

One name to watch this spring after the news? Incoming sophomore safety Dalton Brooks is due to pick up where he left off this spring after notching his first career interception in the Aggies’ Texas Bowl loss to Oklahoma State.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

Texas A&M RB Amari Daniels, S Jacoby Mathews announce their return for the 2024 season

Texas A&M running back Amari Daniels and safety Jacoby Mathews will reportedly both return for the 2024 season.

In the age of NIL and the transfer portal, nothing is set in stone regarding every college football roster going into a new season, and for Texas A&M, the portal has taken but also given tenfold over the past two months.

However, keeping important pieces on the roster together is a revolving door as several veterans have announced their return for the 2024 seasons through A&M’s official NIL sponsor, Texas Aggies United, which now includes incoming senior running back Amari Daniels and incoming junior safety Jacoby Mathews.

While the running back room looks more than set with the return of Le’Veon Moss and Rueben Owens, Daniels provides a bruising running style and enough experience to help new head coach Mike Elko’s transition in Year 1 at the helm. Last season, Daniels recorded 532 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground.

Regarding Jacoby Mathews’ significant return in the defensive backfield, the safety position will be as deep as ever with the combined additions through the portal. After an impressive sophomore campaign, Mathews’s loyalty to the program has not gone unnoticed, as he will compete for the starting free safety spots after the departure of Jardin Gilbert, who transferred to LSU. On the year, Mathews netted 42 tackles (32 solo tackles), four pass deflections and an interception on the year.

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Update: Texas A&M safety Jacoby Mathews has been suspended indefinitely

After his arrest on Tuesday, Aggies’ safety Jacoby Mathews has reportedly been suspended indefinitely by the program

On Tuesday, April 11, it was reported that Texas A&M sophomore safety Jacoby Mathews was arrested by university police and charged with possessing under two ounces of a controlled substance, or in layman’s terms, a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge.

Mathew’s bond, set at $3,000, was paid the same day, and he was immediately released from holding. However, repercussions from Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher came quicker than expected. Mathews is now suspended indefinitely by the football program, and will most likely sit out of Saturday’s Spring Game.

Mathews is set to enter his second season with the Maroon and White as a member of the historic 2022 recruiting class, coming in as a five-star ranked safety prospect out of Ponchatoula High School in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, and the second-ranked safety in the 2022 cycle.

During the 2022 campaign, Mathews saw extensive playing time late in the year behind safeties Demani Richardson and Jardin Gilbert, recording 25 tackles, 15 solo tackles, 3 pass breakups, and 1 fumble recovery, while his best game came against Florida on Nov. 5th of last year with 15 tackles and 9 solo tackles in the loss.

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Report: Texas A&M Safety Jacoby Mathews arrested by university police

It has been reported that Texas A&M sophomore safety Jacoby Mathews was arrested by the university police on Tuesday, April 11th on a possession charge

It has been reported that Texas A&M sophomore safety Jacoby Mathews was arrested and charged with possession of under two ounces of a controlled substance on Tuesday, April 11 by A&M’s university police.

Mathews’s bond was set at $3,000, which he paid the same day and was subsequently released. At this time, this is all the information provided regarding his arrest. Mathews is entering his second full season with the Aggies as a member of the historic 2022 recruiting class, coming in as a five-star ranked safety prospect out of Ponchatoula High School in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, and the second-ranked safety in the 2022 cycle.

During the 2022 season, Mathews provided adequate depth behind safeties Demani Richardson and Jardin Gilbert, recording 25 tackles, 15 solo tackles, 3 pass breakups, and 1 fumble recovery, while his best game came against Florida on Nov. 5th of last year with 15 tackles and 9 solo tackles in the loss.

Expected to compete for even more snaps on defense in 2023, head coach Jimbo Fisher needs to make sure that this mistake will serve as a learning moment for a player with so much potential on the gridiron.

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Texas A&M Spring Football 2023: Safety position breakdown

After losing a key contributor to the 2023 NFL Draft, we break down the state of the safety position group for the Aggies next season.

Spring football for Texas A&M is well underway, which means it’s every fan’s obligation to parse through the depth chart ahead of what will be an important 2023 season. Thankfully, we’ve got you covered by breaking down each positional battle, and up next is taking a look at the safety group.

For all the faults and frustrations of a year ago, this position proved to be one of the more brighter spots of the Aggies’ 2022 campaign. The secondary unit allowed the fewest opponent passing yards per game in the FBS (156.2) and the play of the safeties was a vital factor.

Thanks to the placement of the safeties and corners, A&M allowed just five plays of 30 or more yards through the air in 2022. Much of that production comes back next season, but the departure of Antonio Johnson, who declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, will be felt nonetheless.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at how the current safety group is shaping up for the Aggies:

Returners (2022 season stats)

  • SS Senior Demani Richardson (12 games, 73 total tackles, 5 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble)
  • SS Redshirt Freshman Bobby Taylor
  • FS Junior Jardin Gilbert (11 games, 61 total tackles, 4 pass breakups, 2 interceptions)
  • FS Sophomore Jacoby Mathews (10 games, 25 total tackles, 3 pass breakups)

Departures

  • Junior Antonio Johnson (declared for the 2023 NFL Draft)

While there are a number of position groups to have qualms or uncertainties about, the safety unit is one to feel confident in, which is okay for Aggies fans! This group is welcoming back a handful of veteran players, with Richardson coming back with the most experience at strong safety. Additionally, Gilbert is a three-year player and a two-year starter, so don’t expect any growing pains from him. Mathews closed out last year strong and feels more than capable of playing the role of that third safety.

The question lies in replacing the production, and presence, of Antonio Johnson, whose physicality and versatility provided another layer to this backend unit. As we saw last year, Johnson lined up at a multitude of positions from playing as a nickel corner, to a split zone safety, and even at times coming in as linebacker.

Do the Aggies currently have anyone capable of replicating that same type of impact?

Bryce Anderson and Jared Kerr give A&M more than capable options and the truth of the matter is that perhaps the Aggies don’t need an immediate replacement for Johnson. So long as their two experienced safeties in Richardson and Gilbert hold up, there’s no reason to believe this unit’s production can’t remain consistent in 2023.

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Report: LSU out of the running for five-star safety Jacoby Mathews

Not the news that LSU was expecting to get.

Former LSU commit and two-sport star at Ponchatoula High School in Louisiana is set to announce his commitment on Wednesday evening. However, one report from On3 has the Tigers out of the running for the No. 2 safety in the country.

Mathews originally committed to LSU in April of 2021, choosing the Tigers over Arizona State, Clemson, Florida, Texas, and USC. He then re-opened his recruitment in late July. LSU made a coaching change moving on from Ed Orgeron to Brian Kelly after the 2021 season and Mathews’ recruitment has remained open during that period.

Down the stretch, head coach Brian Kelly made Jacoby Mathews a top priority for this recruiting class. Mathews had an on-campus visit, with another top recruit, linebacker Harold Perkins, on Jan. 28.

All signs were pointing to LSU landing the highly coveted safety in their 2022 class but according to Billy Embody, things have changed. It appears that the Texas A&M bagmen have come through

“It’s over for LSU and Jacoby Mathews,” Embody reported. – via On3’s report on Mathews (subscription required)

The LSU defense could have used Mathews but they did add Lafayette Christian’s Jordan Allen at the position. The team also went into the transfer portal to snag former Arkansas Razorbacks safety Joe Foucha. As far as beyond the 2022 season, safety should be an emphasis in the 2023 class.

After landing a commitment from Jaelyn Davis-Robinson to kick-off signing day, the Tigers appear to be whiffing on two of their top three recruits on the day. Harold Perkins will announce his decision at 1:15 p.m. CT.

We will find out if Brian Kelly can salvage this day. They are also waiting on the announcements of Caleb Douglas and Danny Lewis Jr.

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Florida coaches to meet with 4-star safety before his trip to LSU

Co-defensive coordinator Patrick Toney and cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond visited Jacoby Mathews on Friday morning before his trip to Baton Rouge.

The Gators continue to make four-star Ponchatoula (Louisiana) safety Jacoby Mathews a top priority. He was on campus this past weekend for an official visit, his first trip to Florida, and the coaching staff wanted to get one more pitch in before he heads to Baton Rouge to take his final official visit before national signing day.

0According to 247Sports’ Blake Alderman, co-defensive coordinator Patrick Toney and cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond went to visit Mathews on Friday morning before he leaves for LSU later in the day.

Mathews, the No. 38 player in the 2022 recruiting class and No. 2 safety per the 247Sports Composite, had positive things to say about his trip to UF this past weekend. He said that the coaches, many of whom previously coached in Louisiana, made a good impression on him and he could get behind the way the staff wants to use him.

The 6-foot-2-inch, 193-pound prospect is set to announce his decision on national signing day, when he will choose between Florida, LSU and Texas A&M. However, he took his official visit to College Station back in June, and the Gators and Tigers are widely considered to have the best shot at him.

UF will hope the impression made with the two visits will be enough to fend off a push from LSU to keep Mathews in-state.

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