In a major recruiting win for Shane Beamer and the South Carolina Gamecocks, the nation’s No. 1-ranked cornerback, Samari Matthews, has officially signed with the Gamecocks, solidifying one of the biggest commitments in the 2025 class. A prized five-star talent with elite coverage skills, Matthews chose South Carolina over a host of powerhouse programs, including Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, and LSU.
So why did Matthews, a player many expected to land with a traditional blue blood, decide to make Columbia, South Carolina his next home?
“It was the relationships,” Matthews said. “From the very beginning, South Carolina felt different. The coaches were real with me, and they didn’t treat me like just another star player. They cared about me as a person, not just what I could do on the field. That’s why I kept coming back.”
A Bond That Ran Deeper Than Football
Throughout the recruiting process, Matthews made multiple trips to Columbia, attending games, unofficial visits, and bonding sessions with the South Carolina staff. He consistently praised the culture Beamer has built since taking over the program in 2021.
“Coach Beamer and I talk about everything—not just football,” Matthews said. “He checks in on my family, asks how school’s going, and we even talk about life after football. That meant a lot. It felt like family.”
Defensive backs coach Torrian Gray also played a crucial role. Gray, a highly respected developer of talent who’s sent numerous DBs to the NFL, quickly built a tight bond with Matthews and his inner circle.
“Coach Gray really showed me what my path could look like at South Carolina,” Matthews explained. “He broke down film with me, showed me where I fit in the scheme, and we clicked. I trust him to get me to the next level.”
Lockdown Skills and Elite Potential
Matthews, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound corner from Charlotte, North Carolina, is widely regarded as the best cover man in the 2025 class. Known for his fluid hips, quick change of direction, and aggressive ball skills, he’s drawn comparisons to former NFL All-Pro Stephon Gilmore—ironically, another South Carolina DB product.
Scouts rave about Matthews’ instincts and football IQ. He’s just as comfortable in man coverage as he is in zone, and his physicality at the line of scrimmage separates him from other top corners in his class.
“He’s a day-one difference-maker,” one national analyst said. “If you’re South Carolina, you just landed a guy who can anchor your secondary for three years and then be a first-round pick.”
A Program on the Rise
For South Carolina, landing Matthews isn’t just about talent—it’s about validation. It shows that the Gamecocks can go toe-to-toe with college football’s elite for the nation’s best players. It also serves as a reminder that Shane Beamer’s vision for the program is resonating.
“Coach Beamer talks about building something special,” Matthews said. “It’s not about copying Alabama or Georgia. It’s about doing things the South Carolina way. I believe in that.”
With Matthews now in the fold, South Carolina’s 2025 recruiting class has skyrocketed up the national rankings. He joins a group that already includes top-100 players on both sides of the ball, giving the Gamecocks a foundation that could shift the balance of power in the SEC East in years to come.
Looking Ahead
Matthews isn’t just planning to play — he’s planning to lead.
“I’m coming in with the mindset to compete right away,” he said. “But I’m also trying to be part of the change. I want to help South Carolina win championships and be known as the best defense in college football.”
He’s also actively recruiting other top prospects to join him in Columbia, using his influence to try and create a class that can make history.
“I tell guys all the time: if you want to be part of something real, come to Columbia. We’re building something that’s going to last.”
For South Carolina fans, the signing of Samari Matthews is a landmark moment — not just because of his elite talent, but because of what it represents: a shift in perception, a new level of credibility, and a future that just got a whole lot brighter.