Longtime, elite CB Target Samari Matthews set to return to Rocky Top

Longtime Tennessee Volunteers Cornerback target Samari “Smoke” Matthews is set to return to Tennessee this weekend. On Tuesday, the four-star cornerback announced his plans on social media to return for Tennessee’s matchup against Alabama on Saturday afternoon.

Matthews was most recently on the Tennessee campus this summer, and relished the chance to get back to see one of the programs that’s recruiting him the hardest at this point.

“I found out a lot more information about the school and got to hang out with the Coach ‘Nez’ (Willie Martinez) and pick his brain a little bit,” Matthews told Volquest at the time of his most recent stop at Tennessee.

“I learned a lot more about Tennessee and I had more of a chance to hang out with some of the players. That was a really good experience.”

It’s early in the process for Matthews, but Tennessee has made a strong early impression.

“Tennessee is one of the top schools for me at this point,” Matthews said. “I just like the overall atmosphere. Every time I come here it’s always a good time with all of the coaches. I like coming up here just to see everybody. There’s really a home-type of atmosphere here for me.”

Matthews is currently rated as the No.63 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Rankings and the No.6 cornerback in the 2026 class.

About The On3 Industry Ranking

The On3 Industry Ranking is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services. The On3 Industry Ranking is the industry’s most advanced, complete and unbiased rating and ranking measurement.

The On3 Industry Ranking weights the primary recruiting media services based on past performance data and overall scouting and recruiting coverage investment. The algorithm is weighted as follows: On3 (35%), 247Sports (35%), Rivals.com (20%), and ESPN (10%).

The post Longtime, elite CB Target Samari Matthews set to return to Rocky Top appeared first on On3.