He’s committed to USC for baseball, wants to play football too. Will Gamecocks offer?
Micah Matthews is one of the top commitments in the South Carolina 2025 baseball class. But Matthews (6-2, 185) also is an emerging football prospect as a wide receiver with offers in that sport from North Carolina, West Virginia, East Carolina and Virginia Tech, among others.
The Gamecocks have not yet offered in football, and that will be key for them holding on to Matthews, who goes to high school in Bridgewater, Virginia.
Matthews visited USC on Saturday for the Furman football game, and that was his first opportunity to talk with some of the football coaches about where he fits in with their 2025 recruiting plans at receiver.
“I loved being in Columbia. I feel like it has a very, very vibrant football atmosphere, so being on the field, meeting all the coaches, interacting with some of the players was a great experience during the game,” Matthews said. “I was also able to connect with some of the other baseball commits and hang out with coach (Monte) Lee, and it’s always good seeing and being with those guys. Eli Pitts, who is a baseball commit, has been one of my closest friends for several years now.”
Matthews would like to play both sports in college, and he wants to sign as a football recruit. He got a feel for what the USC football coaches are thinking about him from their Saturday night conversations.
“This was my first real interaction with anyone on the football side of things, and my contact has been with the running back coach (Montario) Hardesty, and he’s been in contact with (WRs) coach (Justin) Stepp regarding me recently,” Matthews said. “They’ve both watched my film and they both communicated that they really love my versatility and all that I can bring to the table.
“So, from my understanding, they are both excited to start the recruiting process with me and get to know me a little better as a person, and I can get to know them better as well.”
As the relationship between Matthews and the USC football staff develops over the coming months, Matthews is going to keep an open mind regarding his future plans.
“To be honest, I’m uncertain about a few things, but I’m just trying to be as open and realistic as possible with all the options that are set in front of me,” Matthews said. “My commitment to South Carolina baseball is still in place, but I’m exploring my options in football and perhaps will find a place where I can do both. I love football and it’s my first true love. I’m from a large Samoan family and football is something my entire family loves.”
Matthews visited Penn State on Sept. 2. He will visit North Carolina this coming weekend and will see West Virginia and Virginia Tech in October. He said the USC coaches invited him to come back any time, but he’ll probably wait until the spring for a return visit to USC.
