Offensive prowess of Lincoln Riley was deciding factor for Walter Matthews

USC has just landed a commitment from one of the top tight ends in the country in 2024 Hiram (Ga.) four-star tight end Walter Matthews.

Matthews is the No. 123 overall prospect and No. 9 tight end in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 18 player in Georgia.

It was public knowledge that Matthews’ recruitment was down to a battle between USC and Florida, a race that lasted a couple of months.

Matthews said multiple times in recent weeks it was a 50/50 race between the Trojans and the Gators, and for some time it was. But then Matthews took his official visit in Los Angeles.

The time spent with Lincoln Riley and tight ends coach Zach Hanson made waves for Matthews, and a race that even split became anything but.

What was the biggest reason USC won the race for Matthews?

“My relationship with coach Riley,” Matthews said.

For him, it was simple. The prowess and history of Riley’s offensive success was more than enough to stand out to him.

Matthews says the fact Lincoln Riley identified him as a potential playmaker in his offense was enough for him to want to play for him.

“Their pitch to me was really just playing for Coach [Lincoln] Riley. And basically that he just wanted me.”

What was the final moment you realized USC was your choice?

“I realized after talking with Coach Riley and Coach [Zach] Hanson. And after looking at how the coaches interact with one another and how they are a true family.“

That realization came on his official visit to USC last week. Matthews played coy after the visit, acting like he was still unsure of a decision, but the truth is he knew he was going to be a Trojan before he left Los Angeles.

His recent visit to Florida helped give him confirmation of the decision he made in his head.

Once Matthews confirmed his decision, he no longer wanted to wait to make an announcement. He decided he would Wednesday, opposing his original thought of committing sometime in about a month.

More on Riley’s influence on Matthews on the OV

“The visit was really, really good. I really liked coach [Lincoln] Riley,” Matthews told us after his official visit.

“Talking to coach Lincoln Riley about his plan to use me and talking to coach (Zach) Hanson about how they use their tight ends in the offense and the options that they run,” Matthews told On3 about the highlight of his trip. “I really like the offense because it really opens up defenses. I like how it works.”

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