Clemson has yet to offer a quarterback in the 2028 recruiting class, but when that time does come, Tristin ‘TK” Gaines could be a player who eventually gets that call.

The four-star, out of Waller (TX), was one of the better signal callers to work out at Dabo Swinney’s camp the first week in June. It was Gaines’ first time visiting Clemson, and he and his father came away with high praise for Swinney’s program.

“I thought it was great,” Gaines told The Clemson Insider. “I went there with my day, and we really did not know what to expect. We got there, and our eyes were wide open. It was awesome. The coaching staff, the atmosphere, just the people there were amazing.”

Gaines was able to get some time with Swinney, offensive coordinator Chad Morris and quarterbacks coach Tajh Boyd. Arriving the day before he worked out at camp, Boyd gave the quarterback the full tour, including the rundown of everything Clemson has to offer.

“I love Coach Boyd,” Gaines said. “I feel like he created a good relationship with me and my dad while we were there. I mean, he kept it real with us. He showed us what an amazing place Clemson is. How it shaped him into being a man and how he came back because of how much he loved it.”

To this point, Clemson has offered only eight players in the 2028 class. As noted, none have gone to quarterbacks. However, now that he’s visited, Gaines is more in tune with how the process works at Clemson.

“They are real strict on the process. They are strict on the rules about it,” Gaines added. “I talked to Coach Boyd, I think maybe last week, and he said he is going to be in touch with me, and he said soon. I feel like it is a good possibility. I feel like I did pretty good at the camp. If they do potentially offer me, I feel like that would be one of my higher-end, top schools. I just love the players, love the coaching staff and the people there. I could see myself being happy there playing for Clemson.”

Gaines is also a standout baseball player. As a sophomore, the two-sport star completed 57% of his passes for 1,267 yards, with 12 touchdowns to just three interceptions. Rivals currently ranks the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder in the Top 100 overall and as the No. 8 quarterback in the class.

Michigan, Tennessee, Texas Tech, TCU, Vanderbilt, Florida and Kentucky are among his more than 20 offers. One from Clemson would put the Tigers firmly in the mix.

“It would mean a lot. Them not offering that many guys means they have it down to what they want and what they see as best for them,” Gaines said. “If they offer me, that would be really special. That means they see something in me. That I could potentially play for them one day. Just putting their trust in me.”

And the fact that Clemson is coming off an overly disappointing 7-6 season won’t change how Gaines views the program.

“People always have bad seasons or bad games sometimes. That doesn’t really change the way I feel about a program,” he said. “I just want to go somewhere that is the best for me and my family. Where I can see myself happy and where I can get developed.”