Elite 2026 CB Samari “Smoke” Matthews Weighs Top Schools, Talks Relationship with Coaches
One of the nation’s top cover corners in the 2026 recruiting class, Samari “Smoke” Matthews of Cornelius, N.C., continues to impress with his lockdown ability. Last season, opposing quarterbacks barely tested him, throwing just seven passes his way—two of which he intercepted.
“They definitely say they love my length and physicality,” Matthews said about what coaches admire in his game. “Being able to hold people up at the line and being fine when you’re by yourself with no safety help, that’s something both staffs and pretty much all the coaches say they like. They say I’ve got the size to play in any conference in college football.”
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound corner is currently focused on South Carolina, Clemson, Florida State, and Oregon, though Georgia and Penn State remain in contention. Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer and secondary coach Torrian Gray were early believers in Matthews’ potential, giving South Carolina a strong recruiting foothold.
“South Carolina offered me pretty early, like my freshman year,” Matthews said. “They’ve always been among the frontrunners just because of that. I have the longest relationship with them. I kind of see Coach Beamer as just like one of my best friends. I talk to him so much, and he comes up to my school so often, you might not think he’s the head coach at South Carolina. Coach Gray, that’s another guy I love talking to about football, about life, really about anything. That’s really with anyone on the staff at South Carolina. You get more than football; you get a family atmosphere every time you’re there.”
At Clemson, the Tigers followed their standard recruiting timeline, offering Matthews later than other schools. However, head coach Dabo Swinney and cornerbacks coach Mike Reed have been making up ground quickly.
“It’s kind of like the same thing,” Matthews said. “Coach Swinney, obviously I talked to him later than Coach Beamer because of their little rule about offering juniors and all that. Even with all that, the first time I talked to him, it felt like I’d been talking to him my whole life. Me and him connected real fast. He’s definitely a great coach. And Coach Reed, he’s like my best friend, too. I talk to him pretty much every week about random stuff, not even about football. We can talk about anything under the moon. Both staffs are kind of similar. That’s what makes the decision so hard.”
Matthews has visited South Carolina more than any other school and has a spring visit planned. He’s set to take his official visit with the Gamecocks on June 20. He will also attend Clemson’s Junior Day on March 8 and is considering trips to Florida State, Oregon, Georgia, and Penn State.
As for his decision timeline, Matthews is in no rush.
“Nah, I don’t know right now,” he said. “I wouldn’t say there’s a clear favorite. I’d say it changes every week.”
Beamer Targets Familiar Name in 2026 Class
South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer is pursuing a well-known name for the 2026 recruiting cycle—Julian Walker, the son of USC assistant strength and conditioning coach Jamil Walker. The 6-foot-6, 265-pound defensive end from Dutch Fork is drawing serious attention after an impressive junior season.
Walker has offers from Kentucky, Wake Forest, N.C. State, Missouri, North Carolina, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Coastal Carolina, and Appalachian State, but he isn’t ready to name a favorite just yet.
“Just because I’m in such an early stage of my recruiting, there’s not much of a favorite yet, but you can definitely feel the love from all the schools that came to talk to me,” Walker said. “I’m definitely going to be open-minded to my recruitment. Everybody has a fair chance to come and talk to me.”
However, South Carolina holds a unique advantage given his father’s role on staff.
“Beamer is building a great culture over there,” Walker said. “Every time I walk in the building, there’s lots of love from everybody in there. He’s building a great team at South Carolina. It’s been a pleasure to see that growth from the first year I was here to the second year. He’s building something special over there.”
Walker is taking his recruitment slow, likely making a decision after his senior season.
“He’s handling it really well,” Walker said about his father’s role in the process. “He’s really letting me go through the process. He’s there for me as a parent. It’s a great family process. He’s letting me be open-minded about what schools I like. He’s really playing the parent role, and I appreciate that we have the ability to do that.”
Gamecocks Looking to Land DT Darius Simmons
South Carolina defensive line coach Travian Robertson extended an offer to DT Darius Simmons (6-3, 306) of Cairo, Ga., in January. Now, the next step is getting him on campus for a visit.
“It’s a pretty good relationship,” Simmons said. “I love the D-line coach there. We talk every other day. He checks on me and I check up on him. He started recruiting me around midseason. He found me on my X account, and we’ve been texting ever since. He came out to my weight room, and he finally offered me.”
Simmons dominated last season, recording 50 tackles, five sacks, and 10 tackles for loss, while forcing and recovering five fumbles.
“He likes my aggressiveness,” Simmons said. “I’m very aggressive. It takes two to block me, or you ain’t blocking me at all.”
Simmons is planning his first visit to USC for spring practice and is also considering Memphis, Georgia State, Troy, and Cincinnati. His decision will likely come later in his senior season, potentially on Senior Night.
Clemson Pursuing OL Grant Wise
Clemson offensive line coach Matt Luke and assistant Carson Cramer are prioritizing OL Grant Wise (6-3, 310) of Milton, Fla. Wise, who has already attended three Clemson games, a summer camp, and a junior day, will be back for Elite Day on March 8 and an official visit during the first available weekend.
“I feel really good about Clemson,” Wise said. “I’ve liked them since Day 1. I’m just ready to get back on campus and keep building that relationship.”
