Zahir Mathis commits to Ohio State; Nation's No. 5 edge-rusher chooses Buckeyes

Imhotep Institute (Pennsylvania) edge-rusher Zahir Mathis announced his commitment Wednesday on Rivals

Entering the week, the Ohio State Buckeyes already had a top-10 class nationally in the 2025 recruiting cycle.

And it just got better.

On Wednesday via Rivals broadcast, Imhotep Institute (Pennsylvania) edge-rusher Zahir Mathis announced his commitment to Ohio State over fellow finalists Florida State, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas A&M.

The 6-foot-6, 225-pound athlete is rated the nation's No. 37 overall prospect and No. 5 edge-rusher in the class of 2025.

For Mathis, the key proved to be his relationship to multiple members of the coaching staff.

“The relationship I have with Coach J, Coach Al, Coach Murp, and Coach Day,” he told On3. “The love from Ohio’s coaching staff is respectable and by me being welcomed to the family is amazing.”

Mathis is the sixth commitment in Ohio State's class, and the third highest-rated player, behind only North Shore (Texas) five-star cornerback Devin Sanchez and Bellefontaine (Ohio) four-star quarterback Tavien St. Clair, who is well within striking distance of five-star status (No. 12 player overall). 

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