PITTSBURGH (93.7 the Fan) – Pitt wide receiver Aaron Mathews’ highlight play was a touchdown pass to beat nationally ranked Central Florida.
It kinds of sums up Mathews’ career at Pitt, there aren’t huge receiving numbers, however he did so much as a blocker and special teams to help his teammates.
“I need to show everything because I feel like I didn’t get to put as much out there with my numbers at Pitt,” Mathews said. “With the opportunity to play in front of a team with a system built for me, I feel like I can take advantage of it.”
Mathews only caught 44 passes in 48 games with the Panthers and had his only touchdown reception as a senior. The 6’4”, 220 pounder did average 16.9 yards a reception in his final year.
Mathews has been working out in the Philadelphia area with a few former Panther teammates. Mathews says he won’t let the coronavirus affect his preparations because “all you need is a little bit of grass to get some work in”.
He may draft prep in Philly, but is proud to play for his hometown Panthers. And maybe prouder too to be a Bear.
“Clairton is with me all of the way,” Mathews said. “I always get calls from people back home saying that they support me. They always have my back.”
A fellow Pitt and Clairton receiver, he often talks with another, Cincinnati Bengals second round pick Tyler Boyd. He says they don’t talk football, just “normal stuff”.
A few NFL teams on the East Coast have talked to Mathews about putting some weight on and potentially being a vertical tight end.
Mathews is just anxious to see where he lands and has been working out a lot to pass the time.
“I will give it my all,” Mathews said of an opportunity in the NFL. “Show them I can play with anybody and make a team better.”
“I can bring wins to the table, honestly.”