Florida State pressing on with pursuit of blue-chip defensive back

Florida State is looking to bring in multiple defensive backs in the 2026 class. The Seminoles already have a pair of safeties committed in four-star Darryl Bell III and four-star Tedarius Hughes but there are still more pieces to add to the puzzle.

One of the names near the top of the cornerback board is four-star prospect Samari Matthews. He's already set up an official visit to Tallahassee this summer and was on campus in January for a junior day. The trip gave him a chance to sit down with head coach Mike Norvell, defensive coordinator Tony White, and defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr.

The Seminoles are jockeying with Clemson, South Carolina, and Oregon early in the spring after previously making Matthews' top-four. Penn State is also trying to get into the picture.

Matthews is hoping to make a commitment closer to the end of summer or fall. According to On3's Chad Simmons, Florida State's revamped coaching staff is a big reason why the program is still high on his list.

“The new staff really helped Florida State move up my list. Coach White is great, then coach Surtain is still there and coach Norvell is fun to talk to," Matthews said according to Simmons. "All of those guys are relationships guys. I had a great in-home with Surtain, he really showed me a lot and my visit was great in January.”

Three schools are continuing to give 4-star CB Samari Matthews a lot to think about, @ChadSimmons_ reports👀

“I am not one to commit and then decommit, so I want to be sure before I make the decision.”

Read: https://t.co/uvsRNfr2w1 pic.twitter.com/XkYVYTFPiv
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) February 24, 2025

The North Carolina native is coming off a junior season where he totaled 19 tackles, one tackle for loss, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions. He helped guide Hough High School to a 12-2 record and an appearance in the state quarterfinals. Matthews forced a turnover in four of his ten appearances.

The Seminoles will need to get Matthews back on campus in the spring to have a chance at beating out the Tigers and Gamecocks.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound defensive back is regarded as the No. 74 overall prospect, the No. 8 CB, and the No. 10 recruit in Georgia in the 2026 class according to 247Sports.

Florida State holds seven verbal commitments in its 2026 class which ranks No. 12 in the country.

Who Is Committed To FSU In The 2026 Class?

Four-Star WR Efrem White

Four-Star WR Darryon Williams

Four-Star DB Darryl Bell III

Four-Star RB Amari Clemons

Four-Star DB Tedarius Hughes

Three-Star LB Karon Maycock

Three-Star OL Xavier Payne

Who Does Florida State Have In The Defensive Backfield For The 2025 Season?

Redshirt Senior Shyheim Brown

Redshirt Junior Earl Little Jr.

Redshirt Junior Ashlynd Barker

Redshirt Junior Christian White

Junior Conrad Hussey

Junior Quindarrius Jones

Junior Donny Hiebert

Redshirt Sophomore Edwin Joseph

Redshirt Sophomore KJ Kirkland

Redshirt Sophomore Ja'Bril Rwls

Redshirt Freshman Charles Lester III

Redshirt Freshman Ricky Knight III

Redshirt Freshman Cai Bates

Redshirt Freshman Jamari Howard

True Freshman Gregory Xavier Thomas

True Freshman Shamar Arnoux

True Freshman Max Redmon

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