#79 - 3rd Round - Carolina, Evan Mathis, OG, Alabama

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Panthers select...Evan Mathis, OG, Alabama

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Evan Mathis, OG, Alabama
Height: 6:05.2 Weight: 304

Overview: After playing most of college career at right tackle, Mathis was moved to left guard during spring practice. With three starters gone from the 2003 offensive line, Tide coaches felt the move would help shore-up the offensive line. Mathis graduated in May and worked toward a second major in 2004. Mathis was a Homewood High School Class 6A All-State pick by the Alabama Sportswriters Assn. following the 1999 season. He was projected as a center coming out of Homewood High after playing almost every down on both offense and defense. He was also an outstanding wrestler and won the 2000 state heavyweight title. He graded 80 percent on offense and made 56 tackles and six sacks on defense as a senior. Mathis has 47 consecutive starts for the Crimson Tide, the longest active streak on the team. He has played 2,852 career snaps on the Alabama offensive line since his freshman season. When his football career is over, Mathis knows there are two things he will not do "the restaurant business or coaching. I'll be in business," he says. His hobby is the stock market, "I've got all my money in the stock market. I do it every day. I watch the internet and research businesses. I'm more like a day-trader than an investor."

Analysis: Positives...Has a thick body with good muscle mass...Durable athlete who never missed a game due to an injury...Has good short area quickness to get upfield and is sudden to gain position working in-line...Has above average lower body flexibility...Plays until the whistle and uses his hands with force to gain position...Effective position blocker who stays on his feet and battles throughout the play...Shows the range and change of direction agility to get down the line and adjust in order to make in-line blocks...Takes good angles to cut off in the second level, maintaining balance on the move...Has the lateral agility to slide and readjust in pass protection...Plays with good awareness and is quick to pick up stunts and games...Has the flexibility and lower body strength to firmly anchor vs. the bull rush...Very active with his hands, as he will lock on and steer with authority...Shows good knee bend and kick slide in his pass set.

Negatives...Much better as a guard, as he did not do a great job of protecting the edge when lined up at tackle...Not a road grader, despite his lower body flexibility...Needs to stay in control working in space, as he sometimes lunges and overextends in attempts to neutralize the linebackers...Plays with good leverage and has good leg drive, but struggles some when asked to drive and open rush lanes on his own.

Agility tests: 4.92 seconds in 40-yards dash. ... 35 bench reps at 225 pounds. ... 35 1.2 vertical jump. ... 6'9" broad jump. ... 4.16 seconds in three-cone drill. ... 7.39 seconds in shuttle run. ... 25 Wonderlic score.

High school: Evan was a Homewood High School 6A all-state pick by the Alabama Sportswriters Assn. following the 1999 season. He was projected as a center coming out of Homewood High School after playing almost every down on both offense and defense. He was also an outstanding wrestler and won the 2000 state heavyweight title. He graded 80 percent on offense and made 56 tackles and six sacks on defense, playing for Bob Newton at Homewood.

Personal: Evan is the son of Deborah and Edward Mathis. His uncle is Bob Baumhower, former Alabama and Miami Dolphin great. Born 11-1-81. He graduated in 2004.

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