Former Georgia starting QB set to play in seventh year of college football after long journey across three different schools
The Georgia Bulldogs, like the rest of college, weren't sure they'd play in 2020. To make matters even more fluid, Georgia opened the 2020 season at Arkansas with an uneven quarterback situation.
Georgia elected to start D'Wan Mathis against Arkansas, but he was quickly pulled for Stetson Bennett, who started the rest of Georgia's 2020 games until USC transfer JT Daniels took over for the final three contests.
Mathis eventually saw the writing on the wall and decided he needed a change of scenery. He left Georgia on amicable terms.
"As far as D'Wan goes, he's handled everything first class," Georgia coach Kirby Smart said after Mathis entered the transfer portal in 2020. "He didn't want to be a distraction for the team."
Mathis elected to transfer to Temple, where he started several games at QB in 2021 (six touchdowns and four interceptions). In 2022, Mathis changed positions and started playing wide receiver. Mathis finished the year with six receptions for 44 receiving yards while E.J. Warner took over as Temple's starting QB.
In 2023, Mathis caught just two passes for 12 yards and decided he needed another change. He elected to transfer to Davenport University, a Division II school in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the winter of 2024. Mathis return brought him closer to home and allowed him to get back to playing quarterback.
In 2024, Mathis started one game for Davenport and appeared in seven. He completed 45 of 76 passes for 580 passing yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He ran for 112 yards and a touchdown on 43 carries. Mathis missed the final four games of 2024 with an injury.
Now, the graduate student QB is in his final year. Mathis is competing with Mac VandenHout to be the starting QB for Davenport, who is predicted to finish fourth in their conference. Davenport's coach considers the QB position to be a strength for their team.
Mathis has been preparing for one final ride after a wild college football journey. He and Davenport open the season against Gannon on Aug. 30.
"The second time through is always easier than the first," Mathis said in a preseason interview. "So, just looking forward to the season playing with my teammates. You know, the strength of our team is the O-line and we've got a few no-names out here, but we're just looking to make a name for ourselves."
The 6-foot-5, 205-pound QB was Georgia’s co-winner of the David Jacobs Award in 2019 for overcoming a brain cyst. He participated on Georgia's scout team in 2019.
This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Former Georgia QB D'Wan Mathis playing 7th year of college football
Category: General Sports
