A former Clemson target is headed to the SEC.

Four-star CB Samari Matthews (Hough, NC) announced a commitment to Texas on Friday, choosing the Longhorns over other finalists South Carolina, Florida State and Miami.

The rival Gamecocks, as well as the Seminoles, were both trending at different points, but it is Texas that ultimately won out.

The 6-foot defensive back picked up one of Clemson’s opening offers last summer and was one of the Tigers’ top corner targets for much of the recruiting cycle.

Matthews took visits to Clemson on multiple occasions, with the last one coming back in March for the Elite Retreat. However, the two parties started to trend in opposite directions throughout the spring, and the Tigers did not get one of his official visits.

Clemson already holds commitments from four-star Shavar Young and three-star Marcell Gipson, with the staff open to adding a third.

Three of the four major recruiting services rank Matthews inside the Top 100, with Rivals slotting him at No. 30 overall and No. 3 among all corners in the 2026 class.