Miami is the program that has pushed the hardest to flip Matthews over the last several months, and that push only picked up this fall. When he backed off his Texas A&M pledge on Sunday, and after checking in with a few sources in the wake of the news, the Hurricanes looked like the clear pick --
leading myself, and several others to log predictions in favor of the 'Canes.
At this time, however, Miami does not look like the landing spot here, per multiple sources with knowledge of this recruitment.
Miami is the hometown school for Matthews, who is South Florida's top ranked recruit regardless of class. Miami has had him as a top priority for years and that remains the case to this day. However, there is a feeling that Matthews may be set on playing his college football somewhere other than his backyard. That was the sentiment when he originally committed to Texas A&M over the summer and remains the case with less than a month until Signing Day.
The schools I am keeping an eye on are the other two finalists from the spring, Georgia and LSU. Both were in it until the end in May, and both are back in play now.
Of the two, Georgia is the school I am watching the closest. The Bulldogs have quietly made a move here. Matthews has a strong relationship with the entire Georgia staff, including multiple coaches in the offensive line room. The depth of that room stood out to him in the spring, and it still does.
Georgia is off to a 8-1 start and is fresh off a dominating 42-7 win at
Ole Miss. Like several other of his finalists, UGA plays offensive linemen early, too. The Bulldogs are starting a true freshman at right guard this season,
Zykie Helton, who has started every game.
Dontrell Glover started as a true freshman last season, and
Juan Gaston played in all but one game as a freshman.
Matthews will have a chance to play early wherever he lands. The chance to do it in the SEC is especially appealing to him, and Georgia can sell that, along with being a perennial title contender.
