One of Nation’s Top Corners Names Clemson Among Favorites

One of the nation’s best cornerback prospects included Clemson in his top schools list on Monday.

Hough High School (Cornelius, N.C.) four-star Samari Matthews announced a top 11 that features Clemson along with Florida, Florida State, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia Tech.

Matthews, who lists more than three dozen total offers, is a consensus top-150 national prospect in the 2026 class according to the major recruiting services.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound rising junior is ranked as high as the No. 2 corner and No. 24 overall prospect in the country for his class by Rivals.

Matthews was the first 2026 prospect to report an offer from Clemson after scoring the offer from cornerbacks coach Mike Reed. He camped at Clemson last summer and was most recently on campus for the football program’s junior day in March.

Matthews told The Clemson Insider recently that he planned on returning to Clemson at the end of July, adding that he believes he would fit in nicely in Clemson’s defense and secondary, if he were to play for Reed and the Tigers in the future.

“I do feel like I’d be a great fit,” he said, “and would love to be coached by Mike Reed.”

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