CLEMSON — One of the top up-and-coming quarterbacks in the country made his first visit to Clemson on Saturday.

2028 four-star Trace Hawkins (Calhoun, GA) made the trip to check out the Tigers on Homecoming. While Clemson lost in heartbreaking fashion, it didn’t take away from what was a really good initial visit.

“It was great,” Hawkins told The Clemson Insider. “They had a family-like environment, and all the coaches were great. The game was great, even though they didn’t pull it out. They still played hard. It was a good time.”

Watching Cade Klubnik have a career day by passing for 385 yards made an impression, and Hawkins feels like he’d be a pretty good fit for what the Tigers like to do.

“It is great, I like it,” he said. “They go deep a pretty good bit, and I love that.”

Hawkins got to spend some time with support staffer Tajh Boyd, and the two talked about several subjects, including life away from the field.

“We sat down and talked about how my game would fit great into the offensive scheme,” Hawkins said. “Stuff like that. He is a great guy. Not only focused on football, but also focused on the academics and what you do outside of football.”

Hawkins has thrown for 2,152 yards through 10 games this season. He has 22 touchdowns to just two interceptions.

He’s taken game-day visits to Georgia Tech, Auburn and Duke, on top of the one to Clemson. He plans to visit Georgia on November 15 and then maybe make another stop at Duke before the end of the season.

The 6-foot-1 signal caller holds early offers from Indiana, Georgia Tech, Florida, Duke and Auburn. While Clemson won’t start offering players in his class until next summer, Hawkins says he respects the process.

“Some schools don’t care about that, but some schools do, but it is fine either way,” Hawkins said. “Clemson doesn’t just throw the offer at you. You have to work for it. And that was my first time being there. That is the first time they have ever seen me, so I was not expecting an offer.”

However, when the time comes, Hawkins would love to add an offer from the Tigers. He grew up watching legend Deshaun Watson and would love the opportunity to don the Paw just like DW4 did.

“That would be great,” Hawkins said. ” I have always liked Clemson football. Deshaun Watson, I always watched him, and I think it would be pretty cool to play at Clemson.”

Photo by Bart Boatwright