Earlier today, I wrote that the Miami Hurricanes needed to address the clear deficiency in recruiting Linebackers in the 2020 recruiting cycle. Just over 6 hours later, Manny Diaz’s Canes have done just that by getting the commitment of Largo (FL) Pinellas Park 3-star LB Alvin “AJ” Mathis.

At 6’1” 210lbs, Mathis is well built for the LB position, and that should enable him to find his way onto the field early in his Miami career. A 2-time First Team All-District selection, Mathis has quickly made a name for himself with his stellar play on the field. According to MaxPreps, Mathis had 86 tackles and 2 sacks in 8 games for Pinellas Park in the 2018 HSFB season.

Mathis is a recent addition to the Miami’s rapidly expanding board at LB; He only received his scholarship offer from Miami on April 9th. He was thought to be a package deal with his friend 4-star LB Jayion McCluster, but the latter elected to commit to Florida State last week. Even without McCluster joining him in Coral Gables, Mathis is a player that Miami likes at LB and would (and has) happily take him in this class.

Even with the relatively late offer, Miami zoomed to the top of Mathis’s recruitment, and beat out Auburn and Florida from a list of 18 scholarship offers to get today’s recruitment. Ranked as the #34 OLB in America, Mathis is the first LB in Miami’s 2020 recruiting class, and 13th commit overall. Miami currently has the nation’s #4 recruiting class for 2020.

For a better look at the player Miami is getting in Mathis, check out his HUDL highlights below.

Welcome to the U, AJ!