How Dabo Swinney and Clemson staff won over 4-star 2028 QB Trace Hawkins

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

How Dabo Swinney and Clemson staff won over 4-star 2028 QB Trace Hawkins

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Jul 30, 2026 10:37 PM ET

The Clemson Tigers are on the board for a 2028 quarterback.

On Thursday, Dabo Swinney and his team picked up a commitment from 4-star quarterback Trace Hawkins from Calhoun, Georgia.

“The first time I stepped on campus, it felt like home,” Hawkins told Rivals of his decision to commit to the Tigers. “The coaches felt like family, all the players talked to me, and I just felt like that’s the place I needed to be.”

Clemson still has to hold on to this commitment for quite some time, but it's undoubtedly an important one for Swinney and quarterbacks coach Tajh Boyd.

Hawkins chose the Tigers over the Vanderbilt Commodores, LSU Tigers, Kentucky Wildcats, Duke Blue Devils and Virginia Tech Hokies.

BREAKING: Class of 2028 QB Trace Hawkins has Committed to Clemson, he tells me for @Rivals

The 6’1 190 QB chose the Tigers over Vanderbilt and LSU

“AGTG!! GO TIGERS”https://t.co/MuLN6hnODr pic.twitter.com/apQLdvINvd
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 30, 2026

Relationships help Clemson Tigers win over 4-star QB Trace Hawkins

He's excited to play at a place with a great football tradition and he's obviously comfortable with life at Clemson. It was the relationship with Boyd and offensive coordinator Chad Morris that really pushed him over the edge, though.

“My relationship with Coach Boyd and Coach Morris was very big and very tight,” Hawkins said. “Coach Boyd’s experience was big. The first time I went there, he helped me through this process because he went through it. He sat me down and gave me great advice.

“Now, we talk every day, and he knows a lot of football. He knows me well too. Our relationship was big in this.”

Hawkins is ranked as the No. 21 quarterback in the 2028 class and he's the No. 38 recruit from the talent-laden state of Georgia.

He believes there's more than just getting better at football in his future thanks to the type of head coach that Swinney is.

“He wants to develop you as a man, not just a football player. He wants you to succeed in life. That’s what my heart desired," Hawkins said.

In 2025 for Calhoun High School, Hawkins finished his sophomore season having thrown for 2,442 yards and 24 touchdowns (three interceptions) while rushing for 159 yards and three touchdowns.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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