CALHOUN, GA — Once Clemson distributed two offers to quarterbacks in the 2028 class, the race was on to see which would lock down the spot.

After working out at camp in early June, four-star Trace Hawkins (Calhoun, GA) and three-star Trey Wright (Lone Star, TX) were the recipients of those offers, and with just one spot open at the position, and it was going to whoever decided to secure it first.

On July 30, Hawkins went public with his commitment, picking the Tigers over other schools, including LSU, Duke, Kentucky, Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech.

“The times I have been there, it is home,” Hawkins told The Clemson Insider. “As soon as I stepped on campus, I knew this is where I wanted to be.”

Hawkins has visited multiple times in the past, including two spring visits. He was on hand for the spring game in March, before returning for the Spring Elite Day in April.

Originally, the 6-foot signal caller was planning to take a few more visits in the fall. He had been eyeing a trip to Baton Rouge for LSU’s season opener against Clemson on September 5.

Not that he needed anymore visits to Clemson. Hawkins already knew what Dabo Swinney’s program has to offer and he firmly believes he fits in well. with what Chad Morris wants to do on offense.

So, with time being a factor, Hawkins decided not to wait any longer. A week after announcing his finalists, he was committed to Clemson, becoming the Tigers’ first verbal pledge in the 2028 class.

“I knew it was kind of first come, first serve,” Hawkins added. “I had nothing else to wait on so I went ahead and did it.”

With his recruitment behind him, Hawkins can now fully focus on his junior campaign at Calhoun. The blue-chip talent got off to a fast start in the Jackets’ season-opening win over Jefferson, going 10-14 for 132 yards, including a 55-yard touchdown strike on the team’s first possession of the season.

Hawkins’ night would ultimately get cut short after he exited the contest in the second quarter with an injury. While his status for net week’s matchup against Greater Atlanta Christian is still up in the air, the quarterback believes his team is capable of having a special season.

“The sky is the limit,” Hawkins said. “But we are going to just keep working. No days off.”