Damarri Mathis has been one of the few bright spots this season for the Denver Broncos. Although, it didn’t always seem like it would turn out that way.

For cornerbacks, the transition from college to NFL is never easy. However, getting called for four pass interference calls is not the way any player ever wants to start their career.

The hard turn-around that Mathis has been able to make since that fateful game against the Chargers is spectacular. The fourth-round draft pick has shown massive improvement week-to-week, giving Broncos Country something to be optimistic about.

Strong Finish

Mathis grew up in Lakeland, FL. He was a three-year starter at cornerback for Lakeland Senior High School. While in high school, he recorded 73 tackles, five interceptions, and 27 pass breakups.

He initially committed to play college football at the University of South Carolina. However, Mathis had a change of heart and de-committed. He eventually chose to attend the University of Pittsburgh.

In his first year, Mathis played in nine games, appearing primarily on special teams.

He appeared in all 14 games as a sophomore, notching two starts at cornerback. And then he had his first career interception against Albany.

He played in all 13 of Pittsburgh’s games with ten starts in his junior season and recorded 23 tackles with 11 passes broken up and two interceptions.

But before his senior season, he suffered a non-football-related shoulder injury and used a medical redshirt.

In his fifth year, Mathis played in 13 games and had 44 tackles, with six passes broken up and two interceptions. One of those interceptions was returned for a pick-6.

For his performance, he was named honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference. After the conclusion of his college career, he was selected to play in the 2022 Senior Bowl.

It was certainly a strong finish to his long college career.

Rocky Start

Mathis had a strong showing at the 2022 NFL Combine and his Pro Day. At the 2022 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos drafted him in the fourth round at 115th overall.

At the beginning of the season, he started on the depth chart behind Patrick Surtain.

Mathis saw the field for the first time in Week 2 when Surtain left the game with a shoulder injury.

He was granted his first start in Week 5 after Ronald Darby suffered a season-ending torn ACL. Unfortunately, it didn’t go as planned.

Mathis drew four pass-interference penalties in the game, which were worth 87 yards.

Despite those massive struggles, Mathis was determined to prove that game would be an exception, not his norm.

Since then, Mathis has not had a single pass interference penalty in his subsequent seven starts.

What’s unique about his style of play is his ability to tackle. Even though he had limited playing time early in the season, Mathis currently has the fourth-most tackles of anyone on the Broncos with 53. He even has four more than Surtain, who has 49.

Against the Kansas City Chiefs last week, Mathis only allowed 20 yards receiving despite going up against Travis Kelce and Juju Smith-Schuster.

Pro Football Focus gave him the third-highest grade on the team, with a 75.2.

It’s a far cry from how Mathis’ NFL career started. Based on his development this season, there’s reason to believe he’ll make an even bigger leap in Year 2.

The Broncos will look to snap their five-game losing streak on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals at 2:25 pm MST. And Mathis looks to continue to cement himself as Denver’s CB2 going forward.