In-state QB Khayel Sam Fong-Talia is just a ninth grader at Dillon. However, his age has not impeded him from winning the starting job for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats have long been known for their run-heavy offense, but now with Sam Fong-Talia taking the snaps, the team is throwing around the field more. A lot more.
In Dillon’s 41-0 win over Socastee last Friday, Sam Fong-Talia completed 17-of-22 for 306 yards and three touchdowns. And he did all of that in the first half. It is the kind of performance that starts putting players on the radars of college programs. Especially a ninth-grade quarterback that is already 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds.
On Saturday, Sam Fong-Talia will be in Clemson, marking his first game-day recruiting visit. The Clemson Insider caught up with his father, Tala Talia, to preview the weekend trip. The elder Talia won’t be able to make the trip, so members of the Dillon coaching staff will accompany Sam Fong-Talia.
“It is his first one ever, so we’re not sure what to expect,” Talia told TCI. “Seeing the environment and the program itself. Actually seeing a game and seeing how it is run. He is excited about seeing that.”
This is likely the first of what will likely be many recruiting stops for the young quarterback.
“He is excited about seeing that because he’s never seen one,” Talia added. “We watch college games on TV but never actually at the game. Just something to look forward to, but obviously a long way to go.”
Sam Fong-Talia camped at both Georgia and Florida after receiving invites over the summer, and coming off his hot start to the season, he nabbed his first offer, from BYU, on Labor Day. While his father knows his son’s life is on the verge of changing, and probably in a big way, he feels like Sam Fong-Talia is well-equipped to handle the stresses that come with a high-profile recruitment.
With the father being Samoan and his mother being Hawaiian, Sam Fong-Talia has grown up in the Polynesian culture. His dad credits that upbringing for his maturity at such a young age.
“He is very mature as far as with his age,” Talia said. “If you meet him, you would never think he is in the ninth grade. Not just because of his size, but just the way he presents himself. He is very rooted in the Polynesian culture as far as respect and treating people the right way.”
With this being the first game-day trip, Sam Fong-Talia will basically treat it like an introductory visit. He wants to learn as much about Clemson as he can, while at the same time getting a feel for how a college program is run.
“I think right now, it is just getting his name out there,” Talia said. “His highlights will also showcase that. But mainly just to get him the experience to see what is out there, college-wise. Just getting him the experience of that part of the game.”