​The Clemson Tigers enter 2026 with a clear plan at quarterback, as Christopher Vizzina is set to start and freshman Tait Reynolds appears poised to be the next in line. Beyond those two, the depth chart gets a bit murky, which is exactly the issue Clemson is aiming to address for the program’s future. To revitalize the quarterback pipeline, Clemson has zeroed in on a high-profile target in the 2028 class: Trace Hawkins, a four-star prospect who stands as the 20th-ranked quarterback and the 293rd-ranked player overall in his class according to 247 Sports’ composite rankings. Hawkins has accumulated 17 scholarship offers to date, with programs such as Auburn, Florida, Indiana, Iowa State, and LSU showing interest. Clemson extended Hawkins an offer in January, and the young quarterback was visibly impressed by the Tigers’ approach, calling the moment “a blessing” and highlighting the impact of a direct, personal call from head coach Dabo Swinney. Hawkins shared that Swinney’s outreach signaled to him that Clemson genuinely wants this relationship to work, which made the offer feel even more meaningful.
Hawkins has already made three visits to Clemson and is slated to attend the Tigers’ season opener against LSU in Baton Rouge this September. Interestingly, Hawkins lists both Clemson and LSU at the top of his current preferences, a testament to the prestige and competitive appeal both programs offer at the quarterback position. When asked about his timeline for making a commitment, Hawkins emphasized that he does not want to drag his process out, even as he acknowledged the need for a thoughtful, timely decision. “I don’t feel rushed, but as a quarterback you need to commit kind of early,” he said. “So you can start recruiting for your team. I mean, I don’t feel rushed, but I really want to do it sooner than later, though.”
In addition to the Clemson interest, Hawkins noted that he values how he is being developed and mentored, indicating that while financial considerations matter, his primary focus remains on growth and fit within a program. Clemson appears to be presenting a compelling path for Hawkins, especially given the school’s success in developing quarterbacks and its proven track record of moving talent through the program. On the field, Hawkins brings a balanced resume to the table: he threw for 2,442 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just three interceptions in the 2025 season at Calhoun, Ga., while also contributing three rushing touchdowns. At six feet tall and 180 pounds, Hawkins possesses the physical profile that college quarterbacks often seek, along with the confidence and experience to handle a rapid development curve.
Clemson has already added a trio of signal-callers through the 2026 cycle, signing Reynolds and Brock Bradley, both three-star prospects, and securing a commitment from three-star 2027 quarterback Kharim Hughley. The program’s most recent four-star quarterback commitment came in 2023 with Christopher Vizzina, marking a shift in how Clemson is approaching quarterback recruiting and development. The Tigers’ current strategy blends proven talent with high-upside future prospects, aiming to maintain a consistent pipeline at the sport’s most important position.
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