This big-time defensive back from the Tar Heel State is high on Dabo Swinney’s program.

Hough High School (Cornelius, N.C.) five-star cornerback Samari Matthews visited Clemson for the Swinney Camp this past summer, and the top class of 2026 recruit came away very impressed after the trip to Tiger Town.

“When I went to camp, they definitely showed a lot of love and I loved the experience there,” Matthews told The Clemson Insider recently.

“I have a high interest for Clemson,” he added, “and from my experience I definitely loved the coaching.”

Matthews is a five-star prospect per the 247Sports Composite, which ranks him as the country’s No. 4 cornerback and No. 33 overall prospect nationally in his class.

When he worked out at the Swinney Camp back in June, Matthews got positive feedback from Clemson’s staff about his performance.

“They definitely showed a lot of love after, saying I did good and wanna see me in action again,” he said.

A 6-foot-1, 185-pound sophomore, Matthews received his latest offer from Alabama on Wednesday.

The Crimson Tide joined his double-digit offer list that also includes Colorado, Florida State, Kentucky, Maryland, NC State, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and others.

“It’s going good,” Matthews said of the recruiting process. “Definitely weighing all my options and have been learning about every college.”

Matthews is planning a return trip to Clemson, and he’d be thrilled to add an offer from the Tigers in the future.

“It would mean a lot for me to get one, especially growing up watching them,” he said, “and I’ll definitely be back down this summer.”

–Photo courtesy of Samari Matthews (@samari_matthews) on X (formerly Twitter)

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