Hampton University Athletics

Jerome Mathis distinguished himself as an elite athlete earning All-America honors in both football and track & field. Mathis excelled on both the football field and the track for Hampton from 2001-05. As a wide receiver for the Pirates, he averaged a touchdown every 4.4 receptions. An All-American in 2004, Mathis also excelled in the kick return game and the Petersburg, Va., native led the nation in receiving yards, averaging 29.8 per catch, and his 35.5-yard kickoff return average also led the I-AA. He returned six kickoffs for touchdowns in his college career, breaking the NCAA career record. He also had 4,541 all-purpose yards in just 35 career games. On the track, Mathis was a two-time NCAA East Region champion in the 200-meter dash, setting the regional and school record with a personal-best 20.32 in 2004. He was also a two-time All-American in track & field, finishing runner-up in the 200-meter dash in 2003. Mathis was a Pro Bowler with the Houston Texans, who drafted him in the fourth round in 2005, and also played for the Washington Redskins.