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Imhotep Charter’s Zahir Mathis withdraws his commitment to Ohio State, reopens recruitment

The edge rusher is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 4 recruit in the state.

Quarterback Charlie Foulke (left) of St. Joseph's Prep avoids being sacked by Zahir Mathis of Imhotep Charter on Nov. 16.
Quarterback Charlie Foulke (left) of St. Joseph's Prep avoids being sacked by Zahir Mathis of Imhotep Charter on Nov. 16.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
    by Staff Reports
    Published 

Imhotep Charter’s Zahir Mathis announced Monday on X (formerly Twitter) that he has withdrawn his college commitment to Ohio State and is reopening his recruitment.

“I appreciate Coach [Ryan] Day, [defensive line coach Larry] Johnson and all the coaches at Ohio State,” Mathis wrote. “They are still a top school for me. This is a life decision. Please respect my decision!”

The 6-foot-6, 230-pound senior is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 4 recruit in the state. Mathis made his pledge to the Buckeyes in January while holding scholarship offers from Tennessee, Texas, South Carolina, and Florida State. He has since visited Penn State.

He told The Inquirer in early November ahead of the Penn State-Ohio State matchup that Ohio State has always been a “dream school” and believes Johnson would help Mathis get to the professional level.

» READ MORE: Imhotep Charter and St. Joe’s Prep have forged a new rivalry. It’ll be one to anticipate in the playoffs.

The news comes two days after the Panthers’ season ended following a loss to St. Joseph’s Prep in the District 12 Class 6A championship.

Mathis, an All-American, finished with 30 total tackles and three sacks in nine games this season.