Elite Four-Star Cornerback Samari ‘Smoke’ Matthews Commits To Texas Longhorns In Stunning Recruiting Win Over SEC Rivals
In a surprising twist that sent shockwaves across the college football recruiting world, Samari “Smoke” Matthews, one of the top defensive back prospects in the 2025 class, has committed to the Texas Longhorns. The elite four-star cornerback out of Weddington High School in Matthews, North Carolina, had long been considered a lean toward a handful of SEC programs, especially South Carolina, but instead will be heading to Austin to join Steve Sarkisian’s surging program.
This commitment marks a massive win for Texas as the Longhorns continue to assert themselves as one of the premier destinations for top-tier talent in the SEC, even before officially completing their transition from Big 12 dominance to the SEC gauntlet. For Matthews, the decision to choose Texas over traditional Southeastern Conference powers came down to more than football — it was about fit, development, vision, and trust in the program’s future.
“Texas just felt right,” Matthews said during his commitment livestream. “From the moment I stepped on campus, I felt a different energy. Coach Sark, Coach Gideon, the whole staff — they treated me like family. They’ve got a plan for me, and I believe in it.”
Matthews, ranked as a top-20 cornerback nationally and firmly inside the top 150 overall recruits in the 2025 cycle, had offers from virtually every blue-blood in the country. Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Clemson, Tennessee, Florida State, and North Carolina all made strong pushes, and South Carolina was widely believed to be the frontrunner heading into the summer.
But Texas stayed patient and persistent. Defensive backs coach Blake Gideon developed a strong bond with Matthews and made it clear that the Longhorns were not just interested in his physical talents — they saw him as a foundational piece of the secondary in the SEC era. The message resonated.
Standing at 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, Matthews is everything a modern cornerback needs to be. He’s long, fluid, and explosive, with the ability to lock down receivers in man coverage and diagnose plays instinctively in zone. His junior year film showcases his ball skills, his physicality in press coverage, and his willingness to make plays in run support — traits that project him as a potential early contributor at the next level.
For Texas, this is more than just a big-time commitment — it’s symbolic of where the program is headed. After a College Football Playoff appearance and a Big 12 Championship, the Longhorns are now recruiting with the confidence of a national title contender. They’re not just keeping up with the SEC’s best — they’re beating them on the trail.
Matthews becomes one of the highest-rated defensive backs in the Longhorns’ 2025 class, and his presence is expected to elevate the entire unit. Texas has already assembled an impressive class on both sides of the ball, and the addition of Matthews gives them another versatile, high-ceiling athlete who could anchor their secondary for years to come.
Coach Sarkisian has emphasized building the program through elite recruiting and player development, and Matthews fits that blueprint perfectly. Known as a student of the game, Matthews has drawn comparisons to recent Texas greats with his physical profile and film study habits. His ability to read offenses, jump routes, and communicate in the secondary makes him a rare high school defensive back who plays with a college-level understanding of the game.
“What impressed me most was how much Texas invested in showing me the film, showing me where I fit, and not just selling hype,” Matthews said. “They showed me how I’d be used, how I’d be developed, and how I’d be prepared for the NFL.”
His decision also reflects the power of Texas’ investment in its football infrastructure. The Longhorns’ resources, facilities, NIL backing, and academic support structure are among the best in the country, and Matthews made it clear that these factors played a significant role in his commitment.
“It’s not just about ball,” Matthews said. “Texas prepares you for life after football, and that mattered to me and my family.”
The recruitment of Matthews will be looked back on as a turning point in several ways. For one, it marks Texas’ ability to pull an elite defensive back from the Carolinas, a region typically dominated by SEC and ACC powers. It also shows the national reach of Sarkisian’s recruiting efforts — Texas isn’t limiting itself to regional talent anymore. The Longhorns are going coast to coast and winning battles against the best.
Matthews’ high school coach, Andy Capone, offered high praise for his star player’s decision and the fit at Texas.
“Smoke is the kind of player who raises the level of everyone around him,” Capone said. “He practices hard, studies harder, and plays with a fire you can’t teach. Texas is getting not just a great player, but a great person.”
Matthews also represents a growing trend of recruits choosing programs that align with their long-term goals, not just short-term hype. While many believed he would opt for a school closer to home or one with more recent connections to his recruitment, Matthews bucked expectations to forge his own path — one that will now take him to the heart of Texas.
This move also has ripple effects in the broader recruiting landscape. South Carolina, Alabama, and Tennessee were all heavily involved and now must pivot to other targets. Meanwhile, Texas is likely to see an uptick in defensive back interest, especially from prospects who want to play alongside elite talent like Matthews in one of the sport’s biggest stadiums and brightest stages.
Another major factor in Matthews’ decision was the trajectory of Texas’ defensive unit. Under defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski, the Longhorns have made steady improvements, especially in the secondary. Last season, the unit ranked among the top in the Big 12 in pass defense efficiency and produced multiple All-Conference selections. With Matthews in the fold, the defensive backfield could become one of the team’s biggest strengths in the future.
For Matthews, the next step is finishing out his high school career with the same intensity that earned him this opportunity. He’s already regarded as a vocal leader and someone who leads by example, and his commitment has only increased the spotlight on him as a top national player. But those close to him say he’s more focused than ever.
“Smoke is built for the spotlight,” said one trainer who’s worked with him during the offseason. “He’s humble, but he’s hungry. Texas got a kid who’s not just going to show up — he’s going to dominate.”
With the 2025 recruiting class still months away from signing, Texas will work hard to ensure Matthews’ commitment holds through the finish line. But given the strength of the relationships he’s built with the staff, and his public confidence in the decision, there’s little reason to believe a flip is likely.
In the world of college football recruiting, momentum is everything. And right now, the Longhorns are surging. Adding a talent like Samari “Smoke” Matthews to an already loaded class only reinforces that Texas is not just back — it’s building for long-term dominance.
Expectations are high in Austin. The move to the SEC brings challenges, but also opportunities to compete at the sport’s highest level. With Matthews in the fold, Texas has secured a cornerstone defender who is ready to meet those challenges head-on.
When asked what fans can expect from him once he arrives in Austin, Matthews didn’t hesitate: “You’re getting someone who’s going to work every single day, who’s not scared of the moment, and who wants to win championships. I came to Texas to be great.”
With those words, the next chapter begins — for Matthews, for the Longhorns, and for a defense that just got a whole lot stronger.
