The Tennessee Volunteers have long been known for their prowess in football recruiting, and they are continuing to make waves on the recruiting trail for the 2026 class. One of the most highly sought-after players in this class is Samari Matthews, a 6-foot, 180-pound cornerback from Cornelius, North Carolina. Matthews, who is considered one of the top defensive back prospects in the country, has already garnered significant attention from many high-profile programs, and Tennessee is right in the thick of the race for his commitment.
Rated as the No. 6 cornerback in the nation by 247Sports’ composite rankings, Matthews is also ranked as the No. 7 player in the state of North Carolina and the No. 65 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class. These impressive rankings reflect Matthews’ considerable talent and his potential to be a game-changer at the next level. He has established himself as one of the top defensive backs in the country and has already shown the ability to cover elite wide receivers with ease. His combination of speed, size, and agility makes him a top target for programs across the nation.
As Matthews continues his recruitment process, Tennessee is positioning itself as one of the front-runners for his services. Matthews told On3 earlier this week that he hopes to visit Tennessee in the next few weeks. This visit will be a significant opportunity for the Vols to continue making their case to Matthews. The timing of his visit is crucial, as it comes on the heels of several visits he made to Tennessee last year. These earlier visits have helped build a connection between Matthews and the Tennessee coaching staff, which will only help the Vols’ chances as they battle for his commitment.
However, Tennessee is not the only program in the mix for Matthews. In fact, his recruitment is drawing interest from a number of other prestigious schools, including Clemson, Florida State, and South Carolina. These programs all offer strong football traditions and have long histories of developing top-tier defensive talent. The competition for Matthews is fierce, and each of these programs will be doing everything they can to land the talented cornerback. Still, Matthews’ familiarity with Tennessee and his previous visits to the school will help the Vols in this competitive race.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Matthews’ recruitment is the involvement of legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick. Recently, Belichick was hired as the head coach at North Carolina, marking his return to coaching after an illustrious career with the New England Patriots. As the head coach of the Tar Heels, Belichick has already made Matthews a priority in his first recruiting cycle. Belichick’s name and his storied history in the NFL will undoubtedly be attractive to Matthews, who will likely be interested in the opportunity to learn from one of the greatest football minds in history.
Belichick has already made efforts to recruit Matthews, having visited him this past week. Although Belichick’s success in the college ranks remains to be seen—given that his entire coaching career has been in the NFL—there’s little doubt that his reputation and extensive coaching experience will carry weight with high school recruits. For Matthews, the opportunity to play for Belichick could be a very enticing proposition, especially given the legendary coach’s deep understanding of defensive football. The chance to work under a coach with Belichick’s background could be a major selling point for North Carolina in this recruitment battle.
However, despite Belichick’s presence at North Carolina, Matthews has not made any indication that he’s leaning toward the Tar Heels. His interest in Tennessee and other programs shows that Matthews is keeping an open mind and evaluating all of his options. Matthews is expected to make additional visits to Clemson, Florida State, and South Carolina, and these schools will be hoping to make a strong impression on him as well. For Tennessee, this is a critical moment to continue its push for Matthews, as the Vols are in competition with some of the most respected programs in the country.
Matthews’ visit to Tennessee, which is expected to occur on January 25, will provide a clearer picture of where the Vols stand in his recruitment. Visits are a crucial part of the recruiting process, as they allow prospects to get a feel for the campus, the coaching staff, and the program culture. Tennessee’s coaching staff, led by head coach Josh Heupel, will have an opportunity to showcase the program’s vision and what Matthews could contribute to the team. Matthews’ previous visits to Tennessee have already helped build rapport with the coaching staff, and this upcoming trip will be another chance for the Vols to further solidify their position.
One of the main selling points for Tennessee in this recruitment is the program’s commitment to building a top-tier defense under defensive coordinator Tim Banks. Tennessee has shown significant progress in recent years, and the addition of elite talent like Matthews could help push the Vols to new heights. With a defense that is steadily improving, Matthews would have the chance to play a pivotal role in helping the Vols contend for SEC championships and national titles in the coming years. Given his natural ability and high football IQ, Matthews has the potential to be a game-changer for Tennessee’s secondary, which could be a major selling point.
In addition to Tennessee’s defensive development, Matthews will also consider the overall football environment, including the Vols’ success on the recruiting trail, their coaching staff, and their potential for future success. Matthews has said that he wants to visit Tennessee to get a better sense of the program and what it can offer him as a student-athlete. With an exciting offense led by quarterback Nico Iamaleava and a defense that continues to improve, Tennessee has the potential to be a very attractive option for Matthews.
In conclusion, the recruitment of Samari Matthews is one of the most closely watched storylines for Tennessee as the Vols look to secure another top-tier defensive back for their future. Matthews, a 6-foot, 180-pound cornerback from North Carolina, has the talent to be an immediate contributor at the collegiate level, and his skill set would be a tremendous asset for Tennessee’s defense. However, the Vols face significant competition from other high-profile programs, including Clemson, Florida State, South Carolina, and North Carolina, where NFL legend Bill Belichick is now leading the charge. Matthews’ upcoming visit to Tennessee on January 25 will be a key moment in the recruitment process, and the Vols will be looking to make a strong impression as they work to land one of the top cornerbacks in the 2026 class. As Matthews evaluates his options, Tennessee is poised to make a compelling case for why it should be the school where he continues his football career.
