Commanders DT Phidarian Mathis Learning From 'Big Bros' Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne

Mathis was selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

When the Washington Commanders selected Phidarian Mathis in the second round of April's NFL Draft, he became the third Alabama defensive tackle on the roster. He joined his fellow Crimson Tide alumni to form a formidable defensive line.

Mathis expressed his excitement as soon as he joined the Commanders.

"Those (are) my big bros," Mathis said in his post-draft press conference. "I just talked to Jonathan Allen...and Payne, we talk all the time. It's a blessing to be back with Payne and also getting a chance to play with Jonathan Allen...I can't wait to get around those guys."

Thinking about it and actually playing with them are two different things. Now, Mathis is sharing the field with them and he's learning a lot from the two veterans.

"Just watching how those guys come to practice," Mathis said. "How they work hard, how they take the game seriously, just watching their leadership, just falling in line, being right behind those guys, and just trying to learn from them every day.”

Learning is the key. Mathis could have been chosen by a team with bigger needs on the defensive line and it would have generated more playing time (and possibly a starting spot), but he lands in Washington ... which is a blessing and a curse.

It's a blessing to be able to play on a defensive with top-tier talent, it's a curse having to fight for playing time against these established players. But being an Alabama alum has helped Mathis navigate the depth chart.

"I'm not a selfish guy, I had to wait my time in Alabama," Mathis said. "I was there five years, so I understand what it means to wait. But you can't look at it like that. You got to look at it like, just come to practice, get better every day, and just be ready when your time comes.”

Mathis knows his time will come soon, even if it may not be this year, but by playing alongside his "big bros," he has greater odds to succeed once it's time to take the spotlight.


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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.