Class of 2026 Samari Matthews of Hough High School in Cornelius, NC, is a nationally trending, 6-foot-1, 185-pound 4-star cornerback who is the No. 17 overall prospect nationally in his class, No. 2 at his position, and No. 1 in the state. He has been recruited by North Carolina defensive backs coach Charlton Warren for some time.

The Tar Heels tendered Matthews his eighth offer in January 2023, and since then, the prospect has heard of 21 other programs, a total list of schools which includes Major Power 4 programs like Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Colorado, Florida State, Kentucky, Maryland, Miami, NC State, Indiana, Ole Miss, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Matthews was on campus April 4. He had previously been at UNC for Mack Brown’s Showtime Camp last summer, and at a UNC game last season.

THI spoke with Matthews this week, and here is that conversation: