Cornerback Samari “Smoke” Matthews from Cornelius, N.C., is recognized as one of the best cover corners in the nation for the 2026 class. Coaches hold him in high regard; last season, he faced only seven passes, successfully intercepting two.
Matthews attributes his appeal to his length and physical playstyle. “Coaches appreciate my ability to hold up against receivers at the line and perform well in one-on-one situations without safety help,” he noted. “They believe my size suits play in any college conference.”
Standing at 6-1 and weighing 185, Matthews is considering South Carolina, Clemson, Florida State, and Oregon, with other schools like Georgia and Penn State lingering in the mix. South Carolina’s coach Shane Beamer and secondary coach Torrian Gray recognized his potential early, leading to an earlier offer.
“South Carolina offered me pretty early, back in my freshman year,” Matthews said. “They have been front-runners in my recruitment for a long time. I have a strong bond with Coach Beamer, who visits my school frequently, and I feel comfortable discussing football and life with Coach Gray.”
Clemson’s coaches, Dabo Swinney and Mike Reed, were a bit slower in extending an offer due to their recruiting protocols. Matthews has connected well with them despite this. “Talking to Coach Swinney felt familiar right from the start; we clicked quickly. Coach Reed is also like a close friend—I speak with him weekly about a variety of topics,” Matthews added.
Matthews has visited South Carolina more than any other program and plans to return in the spring, with an official visit scheduled for June 20. He has also visited Clemson and will return for their junior day on March 8, while exploring options for official visits with Florida State, Oregon, Georgia, Penn State, and more.
He is focused on fostering relationships with the coaches during these visits. “The overall connection with the coaches is important to me,” Matthews explained. “I want to learn more about them beyond football.”
At this point, Matthews has no set timeline for making a decision, stating, “There’s no clear frontrunner; my preferences shift weekly.”
Meanwhile, Beamer hired Jamil Walker as his assistant strength and conditioning coach in June 2023, and is now recruiting Walker’s son, Julian, a rising defensive end at Dutch Fork. The 6-6, 265-pound Walker had an impressive junior season, and Beamer offered him during the season.
Julian Walker is still early in his recruiting process and remains open-minded, acknowledging the support from South Carolina but not settling on a favorite just yet. “I appreciate the love from the staff at South Carolina, especially Coach (Travian) Robertson,” he said.
Walker has had firsthand exposure to the program, attending games and recruiting events. “Beamer is building a great culture here; every time I visit, there’s a welcoming atmosphere,” he remarked.
His father, Coach Walker, shares insights during the recruiting process while giving Julian space to make his own decision, which he plans to finalize after his senior season.
In January, multiple coaches visited Walker’s school, helping him gauge their interest and how they envision his potential at the collegiate level.
Julian has yet to set any official visits but is considering multiple schools including USC, N.C. State, Missouri, Syracuse, and North Carolina for trips this spring.
In other recruiting news, South Carolina has shown interest in Darius Simmons, a 6-3, 306-pound defensive tackle from Cairo, Ga. He is looking forward to visiting USC soon to learn more about the program.
Clemson has continued its pursuit of various prospects, including offensive lineman Grant Wise from Milton, Fla. Wise has a long-standing relationship with the Clemson coaching staff and will visit the program multiple times leading up to his decision.
The recruiting landscape is ever-evolving, with several prospects announcing plans for visits and official offers from numerous programs, while many are still exploring their options before making a commitment.
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