One of Nation’s Top CBs, Priority Target Recaps Latest Clemson Visit

One of the nation’s best cornerback prospects returned to Clemson this week.

Hough High School (Cornelius, N.C.) four-star Samari Matthews – a consensus top-150 national prospect in the 2026 class according to the major recruiting services – was back on campus Monday.

“I enjoyed my time at Clemson,” Matthews told The Clemson Insider. “What stood out the most was getting to meet Coach Dabo for the first time and actually sit down and talk to him.”

Along with Swinney, Matthews spent plenty of time with cornerbacks coach Mike Reed throughout the visit.

“All day I was with Coach Reed and got to speak with Coach Dabo a little later in the day,” he said. “Overall the message from them both was I was their guy and I would be a great fit at Clemson.”

A priority target, Matthews was the first 2026 prospect to report an offer from Clemson. He now holds more than three dozen total offers, with Clemson, Penn State, Tennessee, South Carolina, Florida State, UNC, NC State, South Carolina, Oregon and Alabama being schools he has mentioned as some recruiting him the hardest.

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.

Prior to his visit this week, Matthews visited Clemson for the football program’s junior day in March, and he also traveled to Tiger Town in the summer of 2023 for the Swinney Football Camp.

Matthews said he plans on getting back to Clemson again during the upcoming season.

“Thinking about Sept. 21, when they play NC State,” he said.

After spending the day at Clemson on Monday, Matthews was scheduled to visit North Carolina on Tuesday. He went to South Carolina and Florida State this past weekend.

Did his latest visit to Clemson change anything about where the Tigers stand with him at this point in the recruiting process?

“No, not at all,” he said. “Clemson had always been one of my top schools and they still are. Most likely they will be in my top to the end.”

A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available.  Get yours while supplies last!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!