Rashean Mathis inducted into Bethune-Cookman University Hall of Fame

Bethune-Cookman Athletics announced on Wednesday afternoon that its 2016 Athletic Hall of Fame Class will include former Jacksonville Jaguars Pro Bowl cornerback Rashean Mathis.

The 2016 Hall of Fame Class includes former student-athletes, coaches, and special contributors who have enriched the legacy of the institution through intercollegiate athletics and professional accomplishments. Since its establishment, the Hall of Fame has enshrined 63 people, including the Class of 2016.

Mathis, 35, is a Jacksonville native and attended Englewood High School, where he was a second-team All-State selection before enrolling at Bethune-Cookman University. At Bethune-Cookman, Mathis was a three-time Division I-AA All-American and totaled 31 interceptions in four years while playing cornerback and free safety.

Mathis was selected by Jacksonville in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft. As the 39th overall selection, he is the third-highest selection by any player from Bethune-Cookman and the highest since Terry Williams (37th) in 1988. Mathis is the only player the Jaguars have drafted from Bethune-Cookman in club history.

Mathis appeared in 137 games in his career with the Jaguars, the seventh-most in franchise history and the most by a Jaguars defensive back. His 129 starts are tied with current tight end Marcedes Lewis for the fourth-most in franchise history.

In 2006, Mathis recorded a career-high, franchise-record eight interceptions en route to his first Pro Bowl selection. In 2008, Mathis joined Aaron Beasley (1999) as the only players in franchise history to register multiple interceptions returned for a touchdown in a single season. His 554 career tackles are the seventh-most in franchise history.

Mathis finishes his career with the Jaguars with 79 passes defensed, 30 interceptions, four defensive touchdowns, and one sack in his career.