Florida State football is ranked as the 15th-best recruiting class in the 2026 cycle, according to the 247Sports Composite. The Seminoles' fan base knows that the program is far from finished with its recruiting class, as Florida State only has seven commitments.
Florida State might only have seven pledges, but they have two defensive backs committed in four-star safeties Tedarius Hughes and Darryl Bell III. It would be ideal for the coaching staff to acquire two more defensive backs (especially a cornerback) since veteran safety Shyheim Brown will be graduating after the 2025 season.
Defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr. and safeties coach Evan Cooper will locate high-touted defenders in the position group. It should be noted that other schools are attempting to pursue pledges, Hughes and Bell III. As we learned, recruiting is a hectic time where young prospects make drastic decisions unexpectedly.
Nonetheless, Florida State has a couple of defensive back prospects on its recruiting board. The Seminoles have their sights set on four-star cornerback Samari Matthews from Hough High School in Cornelius, North Carolina.
Matthews announced that he would be unofficially visiting Florida State on Saturday, March 22nd as the Seminoles are having a Junior Day event. The talented cornerback is listed at 6'1" and 175 pounds. During the 2024 season, the North Carolina native has recorded 19 tackles, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.
Back in Tallahassee tomorrow! @FSUFootball pic.twitter.com/Fdo5A5nYvn
— Samari “Smoke” Matthews (@samari_matthews) March 21, 2025
He will be officially visiting Florida State on the weekend of June 6th. It could be worrisome for the Seminoles as he will be taking official visits to Clemson (May 30th), Texas (June 13th), and South Carolina (June 20th).
It should be worrisome for schools like Clemson and South Carolina. Matthews has already been crystal-balled to Clemson in the past so the Seminoles have to put its best foot forward in the recruitment.
However, it is great to see the defensive back unofficially visiting Florida State and coming to visit on his dime. Stranger things have happened, but the Seminoles have done well with defensive back recruiting.