Upcoming Ohio State starter compares 2025 roster to Championship-winning squad: 'Still BIA for a reason'
Jermaine Mathews Jr. is poised to uphold the storied "Best in America" (BIA) reputation of Ohio State’s cornerback unit as he steps into a starting role for the 2025 season. Now a junior, Mathews is transitioning from a key reserve to a full-time starter, replacing departing cornerbacks Denzel Burke and Jordan Hancock. He will pair […]
Jermaine Mathews Jr. is poised to uphold the storied "Best in America" (BIA) reputation of Ohio State’s cornerback unit as he steps into a starting role for the 2025 season.
Now a junior, Mathews is transitioning from a key reserve to a full-time starter, replacing departing cornerbacks Denzel Burke and Jordan Hancock. He will pair with returning starter Davison Igbinosun to anchor the Buckeyes’ secondary.
“It just means I’m going to be out there a little bit more,” Mathews said in April. “It really doesn’t change too much. Just make the plays when they come to me and just try to get better.” His confidence stems from his experience in high-stakes games, including playing the entire second half of the 2024 CFP semifinal against Texas in place of Burke.
Alongside Igbinosun, safeties Caleb Downs and Lathan Ransom, and nickel Lorenzo Styles Jr., Mathews helped limit opponents to 6.5 yards per pass attempt across Ohio State’s four CFP games in 2024—a mark that would rank 118th in the FBS if sustained over a full season.
Mathews believes Ohio State’s cornerback room remains the nation’s most talented, a sentiment he expressed with conviction: “I think we’re the most talented cornerback room in the country. I thought we were last year as well. So I think nothing changed. We’re BIA for a reason.”
His coach, Tim Walton, praised Mathews’ development during spring practices, noting, “Outstanding. He’s playing well. You can tell ‘Maine is comfortable, but he’s been doing it for a while. I mean, he’s been around for a little bit, so he understands it, he knows the progression of the teaching, he understands route progressions, he plays good with his eyes, he has a high football IQ.”
Walton highlighted Mathews’ growth in leadership and on-field performance, stating, “Leadership. Sense of urgency. On-the-field performance. Growth and development. He’s improved in all those areas. The leadership part is big. He’s being accountable. He’s holding the other guys accountable. And his play has increased because he’s doing all the little things. And you can see he’s had an outstanding spring so far.”
Under new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, Mathews has shown versatility, taking reps at both outside corner and nickel positions. This flexibility, combined with his competitive spirit and playmaking ability, positions him to potentially become one of the top defensive backs in college football.
Walton emphasized Mathews’ readiness, saying, “He’s a competitive guy. He understands the game. He has position flexibility. He plays both corner spots. He plays nickel. And his love for football, I mean, he’s a football guy.”
As Ohio State aims to maintain its elite pass defense—ranked No. 1 in 2023 (145.9 yards per game) and No. 3 in 2024 (167 yards per game)—Mathews’ emergence as a leader and starter will be crucial to keeping the BIA moniker alive in 2025.
A former four-star recruit from Winton Woods High School in Cincinnati, Mathews was ranked as the No. 6 cornerback and No. 51 overall prospect in the 2023 class by 247Sports. His high school career was marked by exceptional playmaking, earning him the Ohio Division II Defensive Player of the Year title in 2022.
During his senior season, he recorded 51 tackles (5 for loss), 4 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, 6 interceptions (3 returned for touchdowns), 20 pass deflections, and both a punt and kickoff return touchdown. Mathews, who ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at an Ohio State camp, brings elite speed and a 6-foot, 175-pound frame, drawing comparisons to NFL star and former Buckeye Marshon Lattimore for his physicality and athleticism.
At Ohio State, Mathews has already made significant contributions despite being a backup. As a freshman in 2023, he played 193 snaps, recording 13 tackles, 3 pass breakups, and a 58-yard pick-six against Western Kentucky.
In 2024, as a sophomore, he logged 395 snaps—the most of any non-starter on defense—including 137 in the College Football Playoff (CFP). His stats included 22 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a sack, while allowing just 6 yards per target in coverage.
His performance earned him Freshman All-American honors from College Football Network in 2023, with PFF noting he allowed only 4 catches on 17 targets for an 88.5 coverage grade.
