For Vermilion Sailors quarterback Aaron Mathis, football has always been more than just a game—it’s been a journey of growth, perseverance, and leadership. As a three-year starting quarterback and defensive back, Mathis has faced challenges head-on, proving himself as a dedicated athlete and an outstanding student.
Now, as he prepares for the next chapter at Walsh University, where he has earned a full scholarship to play football and pursue a nursing degree, Mathis reflects on the experiences that shaped him.
A Journey of Dedication
Mathis’ path to college football wasn’t handed to him—it was built through years of hard work and persistence. The recruiting process, as he described, was intense and required him to stay patient.
“Recruiting is a very sophisticated process—you’re basically selling yourself. It’s like a business almost,” Mathis explained. “There were days where I felt like no coach was talking to me, but you’ve got to stay patient, keep working, and eventually, they will come.”
His patience and dedication paid off when Walsh University offered him a full scholarship to play football as a defensive back. While he was a standout quarterback in high school, his passion has always been on the defensive side of the ball.
“I was being looked at as a QB, but my passion and my love is defense. So I’m being recruited as a safety over there,” Mathis shared. “I can’t tell the future, but for the most part, I’m pretty locked in at safety.”
Choosing Walsh: More Than Just Football
For Mathis, choosing Walsh University was about more than just athletics. He wanted to ensure that his academic path was just as strong as his football career.
“It really came down to finding the perfect fit for me academically, not just athletically. I had to consider—do they have my major? How do they interact with the community? What are the people like? What are the coaches like? That’s what really helped me make my decision,” he said.
Mathis plans to major in nursing, a career path that has been on his mind for some time.
“When I was younger, I bounced around between different medical fields, but after doing my research, I realized that I love helping people. That’s one of my biggest passions, and nursing fits what I want to do for the future,” he said.
Balancing the demands of football and a rigorous academic program like nursing will be challenging, but Mathis is confident in his ability to manage both.
“It’s always a challenge trying to balance all of that out, but the coaches and professors work with you. There are guys at Walsh right now who have tough majors like nursing, and they’ve told me they manage it well. It won’t be easy, but there’s nothing in life you can’t do,” he said.
Overcoming Adversity
Mathis’ time at Vermilion wasn’t always easy. The team faced tough seasons, but those experiences shaped him into the competitor he is today.
“It wasn’t always a bright and beautiful season with a perfect record. We had to deal with losing, going through adversity, players being out, and stepping up to play both ways,” he recalled. “But I feel like that’s made me mentally strong, and that’s an advantage I can have over other players.”
That mindset is something he’ll carry with him into his college career, where competition will be fierce.
“Obviously, I want to start. That’s the goal for everyone coming in, and I’ve been putting in a lot of work in the offseason to get myself to that level. But I just want to show these coaches what I can do and why I should be on the field,” Mathis said.
A Mother’s Pride
Throughout his journey, Mathis has had unwavering support from his family, especially his mother, Kristin Mathis. She shared her pride in her son’s accomplishments and the values that guided him to this point:
“I’ve always told AJ that God has a plan for him & to ‘Trust the Process.’ I’ve also stressed the importance of never giving up regardless of how tough things get. Look where never giving up landed him—an AMAZING senior season & a full-ride scholarship to continue his education & play football in college. I always tell AJ that he’s better than I ever was at his age. His hard work & dedication sure paid off. Needless to say, I’m one proud mom & can’t wait to see what he accomplishes at the next level.”
Words of Encouragement from Vermilion Sailors Athletic Director Andy Stillman
Vermilion Athletic Director shared his excitement for Mathis’ future and the impact he has had on the program:
With the support of his family, coaches, and community, Aaron Mathis is ready to take the next step. As he heads to Walsh University, one thing is certain—his journey is just beginning.
“Vermilion Athletics and Sailor Football is so excited for Aaron and his next challenge. Aaron has worked extremely hard to put this football program back on the map. He and his teammates have set a new bar for success for Sailor Football. Aaron has grown so much in the past four years, both on and off the field, and it has been a pleasure to watch his development as a man. This is why Vermilion Athletics exists—to arm young men and women with life skills to be successful after they leave our hallways. Congratulations to Aaron and his family, you’ll be missed, but we can’t wait to watch you and cheer you on.”
Words of Praise from Vermilion Sailors Varsity Football Coach Bill DiFucci
Coach Bill DiDucci of the Vermilion Sailors varsity football program echoed that sentiment, emphasizing Mathis’ work ethic and dedication:
“I am extremely happy for him. He’s someone that works his tail off—physically and preparation-wise, in the film room, the weight room—he’s putting himself in the best position to be successful. I’m very proud that all his hard work has paid off for him. He’s going to play at the next level. He’s going to get an education. The package was really put together perfectly for him.”
Looking Ahead
For Mathis, football is only part of the bigger picture. He understands that his education and career goals will be just as important as his time on the field.
“Eventually, the ball’s going to deflate at some point. You need to have a good degree and a good job lined up,” he said. “My goal is to come out of college with my nursing degree and continue my life helping others.”
In our opinion Aaron, you’re one of our finest citizens and your future is very bright. We wish you the very best at Walsh and we can’t wait to hear about all the great things that you’re going to do in the future.
