Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama recruit commits from a cemetery to honor his fallen friend

Published Feb. 1, 2017 11:39 a.m. ET

Chris Bahr

National Signing Day got off to a roaring start this morning with the usual commitment stunts and fanfare. But the most emotional commitment by far came on Tuesday afternoon in a Louisiana cemetery.

Defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis verbally committed to Alabama while sitting next to the grave of his friend and second cousin Tyrell Cameron, who died from injuries resulting from a hit that occurred when he was returning a punt in a game in September of 2015.

https://twitter.com/_Andrew_Lopez/status/826560912106647553

From The Times-Picayune:

"It really wasn't a friendship; it was like a brotherhood for me," Mathis said. "Growing up in the same town. Played together, stayed together. He came by my house and all that. Until I got up to high school and he was still in junior high a little bit, I left. He was telling me, 'My momma moving tomorrow. I'm trying to come to Neville with you.' I remember that right there. …

"We grew up together. We hung out all the time. I know everything about the kid. God has a place for everybody. I understand what's going on. I do it for his mom, his brother and his sister. I know they need somebody to step up."