Less than a week after leaving Ole Miss, I’Tavius Mathers has a new football home.. and it’s in his home state, as it turns out.
In a posting made to social media Thursday afternoon, Mathers announced that he will continue his playing career at Middle Tennessee State. Mathers played his high school football in the state of Tennessee before signing with the Rebels three years ago.
“I am officially [a] Blue Raider!!!” the running back wrote. “It’s great to come home and play ball for my community. I get to reunite with my lil bro as well. God gave me a second chance and I look forward to taking full advantage of it.”
MTSU subsequently confirmed Mathers’ addition to the roster.
Mathers will be forced to sit out the 2015 season. After using his redshirt, which he hasn’t yet taken, Mathers will have one season of eligibility remaining as a fifth-year senior in 2016.
Mathers finished third on the Rebels in rushing this season with 290 yards and three rushing touchdowns. In 2013, Mathers led the team with 563 yards.
A four-star member of Hugh Freeze‘s first recruiting class in 2012, Mathers was rated as the No. 20 running back in the country and the No. 7 player at any position in the state of Tennessee.