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Texas' recruiting struggles could end tonight—will a four-star choose the Longhorns or South Carolina?

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Berry | Last updated Jul 11, 2025 12:45 PM ET

Hough (N.C.) cornerback Samari Matthews will decide Friday between Texas, South Carolina, Florida State, and Miami on YouTube. As of this writing, recruiting analysts are predicting the Longhorns to receive good news. But things could potentially shift as the time to commit approaches.

Matthews is the the No. 70 overall prospect, the No. 9 cornerback, and the No. 6 recruit in the state of North Carolina, per Rivals' Industry Ranking. The 6-foot, 180 pound recruit was rarely tested in his junior season, finishing with 19 tackles and two interceptions.

247Sports' scouting analyst Clint Brewster evaluated Matthew in-person earlier this summer. The takeaways were eye-opening.

Matthews qualifies as one of the top-tier cornerbacks in the class as a complete player that's checked boxes in terms of physical ability and testing metrics. Adequate height/weight/speed with ability to shell and mirror in both man coverage of zone situations. Stays lockstep both underneath and over the top with quick-reacting traits and physicality through contested catches. Pattern match skills that translates to the next level. Very technically sound and can read, drive, and finish. The type of cornerback that can matchup against bigger wide outs and hold his own. Doesn't get much action his way to show off ball skills and athleticism when the football is in the air. Projects as a Day-2 draft pick with multi-year starter potential for a an elite college team. - Clint Brewster, 247Sports

Some say DB is the hardest position, Samari Matthews made it look too easy. #uanext pic.twitter.com/r1kawrjhfu
— All-America Game (@UANextFootball) July 3, 2024

South Carolina is the biggest threat to Texas heading into Samari Matthews' announcement.

On3's Wes Mitchell, South Carolina recruiting analyst, gave his thoughts on the head-to-head matchup this week.

With the caveat that things can always change in recruiting, my expectation is that Cornelius (N.C.) Hough four-star cornerback Samari Matthews will pick Texas on Friday. It’s gone, at least from the info I’ve gathered, from being something I thought was at least a possibility to being the expectation. While Texas did enter the game later than other schools that were in the mix, cornerbacks coach Mark Orphey was heavily involved with Matthews when he was at Rutgers, so there was a long-standing relationship here that predated the Longhorns officially getting involved. - Wes Mitchell, On3

The Longhorns only have two defensive back commits in the 2026 class so this one is big. Matthews is predicted by most to pick Texas this evening, but this commitment could go a lot further than just a checkmark in the commitment column. The recent struggles on the trail won't seem as bad if the talented prospect says "hook 'em" before the weekend starts.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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