Four-Star TE Walter Matthews commits to USC

Four-star tight end Walter Matthews of Hiram (GA) High announced his commitment to USC Wednesday morning.

The 6-foot-7, 250 pounder chose the Trojans over Florida, Miami, and others.

Matthews on why he chose USC

“The deal breaker was what coach Riley told me he saw in me,” Matthews said. “He wanted to know what my favorite route was, and his resume…I can’t say no to someone like that.”

Relationship with coaching staff + what it means to join the Trojans loaded offense led by Lincoln Riley

“I’m closest with coach Riley and coach Hanson. They plan on using me attached and out wide. It means a lot to me since he has a history of using tight ends such as Mark Andrews.”

The Peach State tight end joins coach Lincoln Riley and the Trojans’ top 15 class in the 2024 team rankings. He is accompanied by four-star wide receiver Xavier Jordan, four-star cornerback Dakoda Fields, and others.

Walter Matthews Scouting Summary

“Large-bodied offensive mismatch whose athleticism for his size allows him to separate from defenders with ease,” On3’s Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power wrote. “Tremendous build and frame. Strong hands at the catch point. Bouncy on the hardwood and shows explosiveness and body control. Need to see some development in his route running and hip fluidity, but has immense potential and upside.”

Matthews ranks as the No. 123 player in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also tabs in as the No. 9 tight end and the No. 18 player in the state of Georgia.

He currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $97K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.