Priority CB Target Has ‘Great’ Time at Clemson, Set for Return Visit

One of the top prospects on hand for Clemson’s game vs. NC State last Saturday was a priority cornerback target from the Tar Heel State.

Hough High School (Cornelius, N.C.) four-star Samari Matthews made an unofficial visit to campus for the Tigers’ 59-35 victory over the Wolfpack at Death Valley.

“My time at Clemson was great,” Matthews told The Clemson Insider. “I really enjoyed my time and took in the moment.”

Matthews – a consensus top-140 talent nationally in the 2026 class – was the first recruit in his class to report an offer from Clemson, when the Tigers started dishing out 2026 offers earlier this year.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound junior received that offer via cornerbacks coach Mike Reed, and the bond they’ve been building during the recruiting process has only been growing.

Last Saturday’s visit gave the two another chance to chop it up in person and continue strengthening their relationship.

“Just had a general conversation with Coach Reed, which is what I like, sometimes I like to talk about other things than football,” Matthews said.

Up next for Matthews is a visit to Alabama this weekend, followed by a trip to Florida State on Oct. 5, when the Seminoles play the Tigers in Tallahassee. He will then go to Tennessee on Oct. 12 and Virginia Tech on Nov. 9, when the Hokies host Clemson in Blacksburg.

It won’t be very long before Matthews returns to Tiger Town again, as he is already set for another gameday visit to Clemson this fall.

“I will be back to Clemson Nov. 2 (for the game vs. Louisville),” Matthews said.

Matthews, who has amassed more than three dozen offers, released a top 11 back in the summer featuring Clemson along with Florida, Florida State, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia Tech.

“All schools right now are even,” he said when asked if any schools in his top group are sticking out the most to him right now.

As for Clemson, did his latest visit change anything about where the Tigers stand with the coveted blue-chip prospect at this stage of his recruitment?

“Hasn’t changed anything,” he said. “Clemson will be there until the end.”

Matthews, who has traveled to Clemson multiple times, is ranked as high as the No. 26 overall prospect and No. 3 cornerback in the country for the 2026 class by Rivals.

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