Aaron Mathews

Photo by: Jeffrey Gamza/Pitt Athletics

Position:
WR
Class:
Freshman
Height:
6-4
Weight:
205
Hometown:
Clairton, PA
High School:
Clairton

2019: Played in all 13 games, starting one (Boston College)…had 13 catches for 220 yards and a touchdown on the year…had a pivotal role in the most memorable play of the season, the “Pitt Special” that gave the Panthers a 35-34 win over UCF…facing a fourth down at the UCF three-yard line and Pitt trailing 34-28, running back A.J. Davis took a direct snap as quarterback Kenny Pickett was in motion…Davis flipped the ball to Mathews, who rolled to his right and threw to Pickett in the end zone for the winning score with 59 seconds left...Mathews became the first Pitt wide receiver to throw a TD pass since Oct. 26, 2011 (Ronald Jones 14-yard pass to Devin Street against Connecticut)…Mathews also blocked a punt in the UCF win (returned for an 18-yard score by Wendell Davis) and added a 24-yard reception…named the ACC Specialist of the Week for his UCF performance and also earned recognition of the Paul Hornung Award Weekly Honor Roll…his lone TD catch of the year was a 43-yard strike from Pickett following a pair of laterals at Syracuse…had a career-high 57 receiving yards (on two catches) vs. the Orange...selected to play in the SPIRAL Tropical Bowl all-star game.

2018: Played in all 14 games, making eight starts…had nine catches for 120 yards (13.3 avg.) on the year…matched his career high with four catches (for 47 yards) at Notre Dame…had a season-long reception of 31 yards at Virginia.

2017: Played in all 12 games, making one start (at Syracuse)…compiled 16 receptions for 189 yards (11.8 avg.) on the season…posted a season-high 50 receiving yards against Rice (on four catches) and Georgia Tech (three catches)…his four receptions in the Rice game also marked a career high.

2016: Played in 12 games, starting three contests as a true freshman…starting assignments came against Marshall, Virginia Tech and Clemson…had six catches for 51 yards (8.5 avg.) on the year…posted season highs in receptions (two) and receiving yards (35) against Northwestern in the Pinstripe Bowl…also was an important contributor on coverage units during his debut season and totaled five tackles.

HIGH SCHOOL: One of Pennsylvania's most versatile performers, playing quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back for Class A power Clairton...as a senior signal-caller, ranked third in the WPIAL with 2,478 passing yards while throwing 30 touchdowns...playing receiver his junior year, averaged 17.6 yards per catch with 44 receptions for 773 yards...selected All-State Class A by the Pennsylvania Football Writers and Pennsylvania Football News in the "athlete" category as a senior and as a wide receiver his junior year...Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Fabulous 22"...Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Terrific 25"...selected to play in the Big 33 Football Classic...as a senior, led Clairton to a 13-1 record, the WPIAL Class A championship and the quarterfinals of the PIAA playoffs...his junior season, the Bears went 15-1 winning the WPIAL title and advancing to the PIAA championship game...his freshman year, Clairton went 16-0, capturing the WPIAL and PIAA titles...rated one of the nation's top 30 "athletes" by 247Sports...rated Pennsylvania's No. 13 overall prospect by 247Sports and No. 14 by ESPN and Rivals...three-year team captain...played under Coach Wayne Wade...also lettered in baseball, basketball and track.

PERSONAL: Aaron Gregory Mathews, born 12/6/97, is the son of Tanisha George...has one brother...communication major.