Oregon Ducks linebacker Dru Mathis has decided that he will pursue a career in law enforcement after playing one final season as a super senior.

Mathis has already begun the application process and has passed the physical test to join the academy. He told The Register Guard that he plans to join the Salem Police Department.

“Being a cop is something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time, since I was a little kid,” Mathis said. The 6-foot-3, 224-pound reserve has two career starts in his two seasons playing for the Ducks, according to the article.

Mathis hopes to add diversity to the force, and is excited to see how he can help the community.

“I think the world deserves good cops and I think that’s what I can offer to the community, definitely some diversity as well, and I’m very excited for that,” he said.

The 22-year-old football player has shown his interest in law enforcement since moving to Oregon by going on ride-alongs with officers from Eugene, Springfield and the Lane County Sheriff’s department.

Over the summer, he interned with the University of Oregon Police Department.

“It’s something I’m so set on and something I’m going to do,” Mathis said confidently. “I’m going to be an officer.”

For now, football remains the priority. Mathis began his career in 2016 at San Diego State before playing for Moorpark College. 

He has played 14 games with the Ducks, and has 20 total tackles. Mathis has the chance the play for one more season as a super senior, thanks to the NCAA’s granting an extra year of eligibility due to the impact of COVID-19 on the 2020 season.

Mathis said that he is focused on the task at hand.

“I’m going to come here and I’m going to work every day,” Mathis said. “[Being a police officer] is something I’m real dedicated to, but I’m also real dedicated to football as well. But I’m a realist, too. I’ve got to plan ahead just in case things don’t go how I want it and I think me putting in with law enforcement agencies is the best thing for me now.”