The Longhorns have added to their commitment list, and this time it comes in the way of one of the top defensive backs in the country. Samari Matthews, who had narrowed his list down to Texas, South Carolina, Florida State and Miami, announced moments ago that he has committed to Texas.
The 6-0, 180-pound Matthews is the nation’s No. 70-ranked prospect overall by the On3 Industry Rankings and he’s a consensus four-star prospect. Along with his four finalists, schools like Alabama, Georgia, Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan and Florida, among others, had extended scholarship offers.
CB coach Mark Orphey helped Texas surge in Matthews’ recruitment
Texas really began to surge with Matthews when cornerbacks coach Mark Orphey was hired. Orphey had recruited Matthews when he was at Rutgers and as soon as Orphey landed in Austin, he put a Texas offer out to Matthews. Within 24 hours of picking up that offer, Orphey lined up a multi-day unofficial visit to give Texas a look in the spring. That visit left a strong impression and Matthews would return in June on an official visit. There was some back and forth in the final weeks of his recruitment, with Texas and South Carolina both having momentum at different times. On Friday evening, Matthews made it official and sided with the Longhorns.
“I would say earlier on when they first offered, I wasn’t really paying Texas any mind. That’s when I was still considering Clemson and all of that. But taking that one visit, when I was out there for two days on an unofficial visit in the spring, that really boosted them,” Matthews told Orangebloods.com. “I really learned more about Texas. I learned more about the fan base, who was great. The people out in Austin are great. I learned more about the staff, not even the coaches, but the (support) staff and the players. It was all great. So that kind of boosted them up in the ranking.”
Matthews can play a multitude of spots in the secondary
A versatile defensive back who can play at cornerback, safety or nickel, the plan is for Matthews to begin his Texas career at cornerback before then expanding his role, similar to what Texas did with Jahdae Barron.
“When I talked to coach (Orphey), he wants me as a Jahdae type of player. Start me off at corner, when I get comfortable at corner, move me to nickel. Play a little bit of safety. Just boost your versatility for the next level at the league,” Matthews said. “That’s really how they want to use me in the scheme. I don’t have a problem with it. Whatever gets me on the field quicker.”
Matthews is a standout on the field, but he’s also a strong presence in the community and in the locker room. He said when he took his visits to Texas, he felt like he would be a good cultural fit for the program and that’s another element that helped boost Texas’ chances.
“I definitely think I fit in. When I got to hang out with the players on my OV, I fit right in,” Matthews said. “You would think I was there for like three years and I was just hanging out with them. I definitely fit the culture. It’s just tough football out at Texas. You have to be a different breed to play for coach Sark. I definitely think that fits my play style.”
Matthews becomes the Longhorns’ 18th commitment for the 2026 recruiting cycle. He is Texas’ third defensive back pledge, joining Hayward Howard and Yaheim Riley.
