Tigers hope to see a little more Smoke this spring

Clemson is in the final four for 2026 cornerback Samari “Smoke” Matthews (6-1 185) of Cornelius (NC) Hough, and they hope to see a little more of him this spring.Follow

Clemson is in the final four for 2026 cornerback Samari “Smoke” Matthews (6-1 185) of Cornelius (NC) Hough, and they hope to see a little more of him this spring.

Matthews is considered one of the country's top cover corners for the 2026 class. How highly regarded is he by opposing coaches? Last season, only seven passes were thrown his way, and he picked off two of them.

“They definitely say the length and the physicality I play with,” said Matthews about what coaches love about him. “Being able to hold people up at the line…