Georgia Football: 6 successful Alabama players the Dawgs must contain

NFL scouts are already getting excited at the prospect of sixth-year senior, Phidarian “Phil” Mathis entering the 2022 NFL Draft. However, before this, the giant defensive tackle wants to finish the season on a high note.

At 6’4″ and 312-pounds, Mathis is a monster of a man who has 15 tackles with nine tackles for loss, seven sacks and six quarterback hurries throughout the season. Three of these quarterback hurries came against LSU, where Mathis was voted Defensive Player of the Week by Reese’s Senior Bowl.

In the Iron Bowl last week, the Alabama defense stepped up at a point when the Tide’s offense struggled. So much so that Mathis and his defensive teammates contained Auburn to 22 total rushing yards. The Tide was only one-score behind going into the fourth quarter, which set up the exciting finish. Mathis, who has developed a veteran-type role, led the team with -12 sack yards.

Big Phil has become a cornerstone that the Tide defense relies greatly upon to disrupt any offensive rhythm. He is someone the offensive line needs to pay attention to and find a way to slow him down because if he and Will Anderson get in a rhythm, the Dawgs starting quarterback Stetson Bennett will have more pressure on him than he has all season.