Florida State is looking to bolster its 2026 recruiting class. They have several flip targets on their board, and four-star edge Jamarion Matthews, who is currently committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide, is one of them.
Matthews attended a camp last June in Tallahassee. He didn’t receive an offer from FSU until this January at their Junior Day event. Matthews made his return over the weekend, and the Seminoles needed to show him two things in particular.
“Their culture and how they would use me,” Matthews told The Osceola. “The culture was just going around the college, learning new things about it. And how they will use me? They’ll use more on the outside coming off the edge.”
Before transferring to Gainesville High School in Gainesville, Georgia, Matthews played at Sparkman High School in Harvest, Alabama. He was dominant as a sophomore with 61 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery. Matthews was a force again as a junior with 57 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
Matthews is one of the top players in the country. He’s the No. 98 overall recruit and the nation’s No. 13 edge per 247Sports composite rankings. In terms of prospects in Georgia, Matthews is No. 11 in the state.
Matthews went on to discuss what made FSU turn his head on the trip.
“What really stood out to me was bonding with the recruits and players at Florida State.” said Matthews. “My host was Jaden Jones, so I was with him most of the time.”
A final decision on where Matthews will go is expected before his senior season. Florida State will be one of the programs he chooses from.
“Florida State will be a finalist for me. They actually did good this weekend.”
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU improves standing with elite Alabama edge commit after official visit
Reporting by Matthew Lenix , FSU Wire / FSU Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
