Damarri Mathis Bio
Damarri Deshon Mathis is an American professional football cornerback for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). Born and raised in Lakeland, Florida, he played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers before being selected by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft. After three seasons in Denver, Mathis joined the Carolina Panthers in 2025 as he continues his professional career in the league.
Early Life and Background
Damarri Deshon Mathis was born on April 12, 1999, in Lakeland, Florida, where he was raised. He attended Lakeland Senior High School, where he developed into a college football recruit with a three-star rating. His high school performance drew attention from several college programs, and he became one of the notable defensive prospects to come out of the Lakeland area in recent years.
Coming out of high school, Mathis was rated a three-star recruit and initially committed to play college football at South Carolina. He later decommitted from the Gamecocks and changed course, choosing instead to sign with the University of Pittsburgh. The decision to join the Pittsburgh Panthers helped shape his path toward a professional career in defensive back play.
Path to American Football
Mathis enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh, where he joined a Panthers program known for producing NFL defensive backs. He played in nine games as a freshman, appearing mostly on special teams while adjusting to the speed and physicality of college-level football. Those early special teams reps helped him develop the coverage instincts that would later define his professional profile.
As he progressed at Pittsburgh, Mathis became a more prominent member of the secondary. In his junior season, he started ten of thirteen games and tallied 23 tackles, 11 passes broken up, and two interceptions. A non-football related shoulder injury prior to his senior year forced him to use a medical redshirt, but he returned for a strong fifth season with 44 tackles, six passes broken up, and two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown. That performance earned him honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference recognition, and he capped his college career by playing in the 2022 Senior Bowl.
Damarri Mathis Career
Early Career (2022)
Damarri Mathis began his professional career when the Denver Broncos selected him in the fourth round, 115th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft. The Broncos viewed him as a developmental cornerback with starting potential, and he quickly earned a role in the Denver secondary. His rookie season proved to be a strong one, establishing him as a contributor in the Broncos’ defensive backfield.
Mathis’s first NFL campaign was productive enough to position him for a larger role the following year. He finished his rookie season with a workload that reflected the trust the Broncos had placed in him as a young defensive back. That foundation set the stage for his promotion to a starting role in 2023.
Denver Broncos Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Following a strong rookie season, Mathis entered the 2023 season as the Broncos’ second starting cornerback opposite star Patrick Surtain II. The role represented a significant step up in responsibility and put him on the field for a high volume of defensive snaps. Early in the year, however, the Broncos’ defense struggled in a historic 70–20 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 3, after which Mathis was benched in favor of veteran Fabian Moreau.
Ahead of the 2024 season, Mathis participated in a competitive training camp battle with second-year cornerback Riley Moss, rookie Kris Abrams-Draine, and newly signed veteran Levi Wallace. Riley Moss was eventually named the starter, with Mathis serving as a backup in the Broncos’ secondary rotation. On August 27, 2024, Mathis was placed on short-term injured reserve by Denver after sustaining an ankle injury in Week 3 of the preseason, and he was activated on October 17, mainly playing on special teams and as a dimeback for the remainder of the season.
Carolina Panthers Era (2025–Present)
On August 25, 2025, the Denver Broncos waived Damarri Mathis, ending his three-year tenure with the team. Just two days later, on August 27, 2025, he was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers, giving him a fresh opportunity to compete for a roster spot. The move represented a quick turnaround and reflected continued NFL interest in his coverage ability and special teams value.
His time with Carolina was unfortunately interrupted by injury. Mathis suffered a torn ACL in practice and was placed on injured reserve on September 6, 2025, ending his season. The Panthers retained him on their roster, and the organization will look for him to recover and contribute once he returns to full health.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Mathis’s early NFL career came when he was benched following the Broncos’ historic 70–20 loss to the Miami Dolphins in 2023, a game that became a low point for the Denver defense. His selection in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft at 115th overall also marked a key milestone, validating his college development at Pittsburgh. More recently, his claim off waivers by the Carolina Panthers in 2025 demonstrated that teams around the league continued to view him as a viable NFL cornerback.
Damarri Mathis Career Wins
As a defensive player, Damarri Mathis’s statistical impact is measured through tackles, passes broken up, and interceptions rather than traditional win counts. Through the 2024 season, he had recorded 103 total tackles and 9 pass deflections in his NFL career, reflecting his role as a coverage defender and special teams contributor. His two college interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown, and his 11 passes broken up in his junior season at Pittsburgh also stand out as notable statistical achievements.
College Highlights
At the University of Pittsburgh, Damarri Mathis developed into a reliable cornerback over five seasons. His junior year totals of 23 tackles, 11 passes broken up, and two interceptions highlighted his ball skills, while his fifth season added 44 tackles, six passes broken up, and two more interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. That final college season earned him honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference recognition and an invitation to the 2022 Senior Bowl, where he showcased his abilities to NFL scouts.
Damarri Mathis Family
Personal Life
Public details about Damarri Mathis’s immediate family are limited, and verifiable information about his parents, spouse, or children has not been confirmed. He was born and raised in Lakeland, Florida, and that community continues to be a part of his background. He maintains a presence on social media, including an account on the platform X under the handle @marri863, where fans can follow updates on his career.
2025 Season Performance
Damarri Mathis’s 2025 season was disrupted almost immediately after he joined the Carolina Panthers. Claimed off waivers on August 27, 2025, he had only a short window to compete for a role before suffering a torn ACL in practice. The injury led to his placement on injured reserve on September 6, 2025, effectively ending his season before it could begin in earnest.
Despite the setback, Mathis remained part of the Carolina Panthers organization, which kept him on the roster while he recovered. His path to the Panthers came after being waived by the Denver Broncos on August 25, 2025, a sequence of events that reflected both the volatility of NFL roster moves and the continued demand for his skill set. Looking ahead, his focus will be on rehabilitation and earning a role in the Panthers’ secondary or special teams units once healthy.