Jermaine Mathews Jr.

NFL Draft Profile: Jermaine Mathews Jr.

Position: Cornerback | School: Ohio State | Class: Junior

Height: 5'11" | Weight: 190 lbs | Archetype: Slot / Man

College Career Summary

Jermaine Mathews Jr. arrived at Ohio State as a highly touted recruit from Cincinnati and immediately proved he belonged on the big stage. As a true freshman in 2023, he earned Freshman All-American honors, famously stepping in for an injured Denzel Burke and recording a pick-six in his debut. By 2024, he was a vital "third starter" on a National Championship squad, showing elite versatility by sliding into the slot or playing the boundary.

In 2025, Mathews Jr. moved into a full-time starting role and became a leader in one of the nation's best secondaries. He earned Third-Team All-Big Ten honors, finishing the season with 26 tackles, 3 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions. Known for his supreme confidence and "alpha" mentality, he has shown a rare ability to thrive in off-zone coverage while possessing the twitchy athleticism required to erase slot receivers in man-to-man.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 41

• Total Tackles: 61 (26 in 2025)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 3.5 (1.0 in 2025)

• Sacks: 2.0 (1.0 in 2025)

• Interceptions: 3 (2 in 2025)

• Pass Breakups (PD): 6 (3 in 2025)

• Forced Fumbles: 1 (in 2025)

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
vs. Texas	3 Tkl	B+	Huge season-opening win; handled elite speed.
vs. Western Mich.	1 Tkl	B	Quiet game; rarely targeted.
vs. Marshall	2 Tkl	B+	Strong in run support; technically sound.
@ Michigan St.	1 Tkl, 1 PD	A-	Play Recognition. Broke up a key 3rd down pass.
vs. Iowa	4 Tkl	B+	Physical game; set the edge against Iowa’s run.
@ Oregon	2 Tkl	B-	Struggled slightly with Oregon’s tempo but stayed in phase.
vs. Nebraska	3 Tkl	B	Solid coverage; limited Nebraska’s deep shots.
@ Penn State	1 Tkl	B+	Mental Toughness. Lockdown in a hostile environment.
@ Illinois	3 Tkl, 1 INT	A+	Star Impact. Led the "turnover surge" with a pick.
vs. Rutgers	2 Tkl	B	Disciplined; zero catches allowed in his zone.
@ Northwestern	1 Tkl	B-	Played off-man; limited impact in the quick game.
vs. Indiana	2 Tkl, 1 PD	B+	Competitor. Challenged Indiana's top slot target.
@ Michigan	1 Tkl, 1 INT	A	Clutch. Massive INT in the rivalry game.
vs. Indiana (B1G)	0 Tkl, 1 PD	B-	Weakness. Tough game for the unit in a narrow loss.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Slot Versatility: Mathews is arguably the best "Nickel" projection in the class. His short-area Agility and ability to change direction allow him to stick to twitchy inside receivers.

• Zone IQ: He is most comfortable in off-zone where he can watch the QB’s eyes. He has elite Play Recognition, triggering downhill quickly to disrupt curls and comebacks.

• Supreme Confidence: He plays with a "CB1" attitude. He is a noted trash-talker who backs it up with physical play and high-effort Pursuit.

• Ball Skills: Former high school WR background shows; he tracks the ball naturally and has the Acceleration to close windows that look open to QBs.

Weaknesses

• Size Thresholds: Measuring 5'11" and 190 lbs, he is below the desired 6'0"/200lb threshold for a primary boundary eraser. He can be out-muscled by "Power" wideouts.

• Consistency: While elite at his best, he occasionally gambles on routes, leading to double-move vulnerabilities.

• Tackling Power: He is a willing tackler (7% missed tackle rate), but he doesn't bring the "thump" of a larger corner. He is more of a "wrap-and-drag" finisher.

Scheme Fit: Ideal Slot/Nickel or Off-Man Corner in a hybrid system (e.g., Browns, Texans, or Eagles).

NFL Comparison: Trent McDuffie (Chiefs)

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 19/20 | Physical Tools: 15/20 | Attributes: 17/20 | Athleticism: 19/20 | IQ: 18/20

Final Grade: 88/100

Jermaine Mathews Jr. is a "coach's dream" in the modern NFL. While he doesn't have the 6'2" frame teams crave on the outside, his mastery of the slot and his elite football IQ make him a high-value asset. He has proven in the Big Ten that he can match up with any archetype of receiver. His value is slightly depressed only by his measurables, but in a league where the "Nickel" is a starting position, Mathews is a Day 1 contributor.

Draft Projection: 2nd Round