Trace Hawkins is one of just two quarterbacks in the 2028 class to currently hold an offer from Clemson.

The four-star signal-caller (Calhoun, GA) has visited several times already, with the most recent one coming when he worked out at Dabo Swinney’s high school camp last month. Hawkins had an overly impressive workout, and after some of the feedback he received, he felt like the Tigers would offer at some point.

“I mean, I thought so,” Hawkins told The Clemson Insider. “Coach (Tajh) Boyd was telling me how I was pretty high on their list, so I felt like it was coming.”

However, the 6-foot quarterback had to wait about three weeks before getting that call from Swinney.

“It felt great, honestly,” Hawkins added. “It was just a blessing. Making it even better, coach Swinney called me. That means that they truly want this to work. It was just great.”

Hawkins first visited for the Duke game last season, then made two different stops at Clemson during the spring. He was on hand for the spring game, then returned for the spring elite day in April. Having made so many visits already, his relationship with Boyd has really blossomed.

“It is a great relationship. We talk on the daily,” Hawkins said. “We talk about football stuff, but it isn’t always about football, also about life in general. We have a great relationship.”

His bond with offensive coordinator Chad Morris has only strengthened, as well.

“I have gotten to know him a lot since I have been visiting Clemson,” said Hawkins. “I see myself fitting pretty good. They like to use the quarterback a lot, and they like to throw it, and that is what I like to do, so I can see myself fitting in really well.”

On top of his offer from Clemson last month, Hawkins also added one from LSU, and those are the schools that are setting the pace. Although Vanderbilt, Duke, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Kentucky and Iowa State are all recruiting Hawkins hard, too.

While some might think brand value is the reason Clemson and LSU are currently at the top of his list, it’s actually the relationships he’s developed at those two schools that really stand out.

“The relationships. We talk to both schools daily,” Hawkins said. “I love those offenses and how they use their quarterback, and the development they have had.”

Being a quarterback, Hawkins said he would like to have a decision made by some point before the end of his high school season, although that is not set in stone. The only thing he knows for sure at this point is he wants to take a few more game-day visits in the fall. You can expect him to be on hand in Baton Rouge when Clemson and LSU kick off the season on September 5.

“I don’t feel rushed, but as a quarterback you need to commit kind of early,” Hawkins 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.”

Rivals ranks Hawkins as the 18th best quarterback in the class. As a sophomore last season, he threw for 2,442 yards with 24 touchdowns to just three interceptions. He also had three rushing touchdowns. 

As he navigates the process, Hawkins is taking more of an old-school approach. He is looking for a strong culture and a coaching staff he can fully trust.

“Just looking for the relationships,” he said. “Not just where I feel like home, but also my family. It’s not just going to be me. My family will be coming, too. I want my family to be close to the people I am there with. And also the coaches.”

While money plays a part in most every recruitment in the current landscape, Hawkins maintains it’s not at the top of his list of priorities. He believes that if he’s developed and plays well, that part will take care of itself.

“It plays a factor, but that is not what I am dead-set on,” Hawkins said. “I am really just looking for the development. The money piece, if you get developed and do good, the money will come with that. So, it is not really a big part of my recruitment.”