2026 Five-Star Wowed by Clemson’s Mike Reed

Clemson is starting to get the ball rolling in the 2026 recruiting and class, and the Tigers are set to host some of its key targets in the cycle in March.

Five-star cornerback Samari Matthews is a part of that group and he’s set to visit Clemson in early March during spring football. Ahead of this experience, Matthews spoke to The Clemson Insider about where the Tigers stand early in his recruitment,

“My expectations coming off my first time being there definitely a great time. So I’m definitely looking forward to it and seeing other coaches again,” Matthews said.

The impact Clemson has made on Matthews early has heavily come through cornerbacks coach Mike Reed. Matthews has a lot of respect for him early and knows that he has a deep connection with his players, and would develop him to become a great player at the college level and for the NFL opportunity.

Matthews spoke at length about what differentiates Reed from other coaches he’s spoke to in his recruitment.

“I think the way how he developed kids and the relationship he has with all the players that came out at Clemson, you know, he seemed like the type of coach you can trust with own personal personal information and just easy to talk to home and out of footbal and the way he just developed kids and when I’ve seen him in game, the way he talks to the kids on the sideline, totally keep their head in the game,” Matthews said.

As he’s weighing different schools, Matthews says “the history” that Clemson has built is something that puts them high on his list. Dabo Swinney and his staff will send out its first offers to the 2026 class in the summer, and Matthews said he would be “very thankful and blessed” if one came his way.

There’s another cog in this as he played with incoming freshman kicker Nolan Hauser at Hough High School in N.C., and he’s been recruiting him early. Matthews said “that’s my guy” and Clemson is always something the two talk about.

The Tigers are laying the groundwork for Matthews in the 2026 class, and he’s one of the most coveted already holding 13 Division-I offers. As one of the best defensive backs in the class, Reed is making a strong impression for Clemson.