WASHINGTON — Alabama defensive tackle Phidarian 'Phil' Mathis becomes the latest Crimson Tide defender drafted to Washington as the Commanders selected him in the second round as the No. 47 overall pick. He will join former Alabama defensive linemen Daron Payne and Johnathan Allen in Washington.
Mathis is the second Alabama player taken on Day 2 of the draft, following John Metchie III, who went No. 44 overall to the Houston Texans. There have now been four Crimson Tide players selected in this year’s draft as Evan Neal (No. 7, New York Giants) and Jameson Williams (No. 12, Detroit Lions) were drafted during the first round Thursday night.
After being redshirted his freshman season back in 2017, Mathis was a starter on the Alabama defensive line in each of his next four seasons with the program, earning Freshman All-SEC honors in his first year as a starter. Over the course of his five years with the Crimson Tide, Mathis would quickly grow into one of the more reliable linemen on defense.
Over his four seasons as a starter, Mathis totaled 129 tackles, including 17.5 for a loss. Of those 17.5 tackles, 10.5 of them were sacks. Mathis also recorded five passes defended, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
