When it comes to recruiting, it is never too early to look ahead.

While Clemson has yet to even offer any players in the 2028 class, it has not stopped them from laying the foundation with what looks to be a highly-sought after quarterback in the 2029 class.

Former in-state signal caller Khayel Sam-Fong Talia returned to Clemson last week for a spring practice. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder played last season at Dillon, but plans to transfer to South Forsyth in Georgia for his sophomore campaign.

Sam-Fong Talia has visited multiple times now, but this last one allowed him some face time with new offensive coordinator Chad Morris for the first time.

“It was amazing,” Sam-Fong Talia told The Clemson Insider. “Definitely felt the love from a lot of the coaching staff, including Coach Swinney. It was good to meet Coach Morris and start to peak into his offense a little bit and start to build the foundation of our relationship.”

While he’s just really starting to build a relationship with Morris, he’s been building one with new quarterbacks coach Tajh Boyd for quite some time. In fact, Sam-Fong Talia raves about what he’s built with Boyd.

“It has grown a lot,” Sam-Fong Talia said. “I feel like I have a really strong relationship with him. Just because he is definitely a players’ coach and he’s been relatable throughout the whole process. He’s been through the exact same process I am going through right now. He is one who has made it. I feel like our conversations and his honest input is very valuable to me. That relationship is one of the closest I have with college coaches.”

Sam-Fong Talia also found out exactly where he stands with the Tigers’ coaching staff as far as players at his position in the 2029 class.

“They definitely implied and showed that I am thought of closer to the top,” he said. “But they are obviously more focused on the 2028 class right now.”

Even though the Tigers won’t start offering players in his class for more than a year, Sam-Fong Talia respects the process in place at Clemson.

“I don’t view it as anything bad, because I see it when they offer you, it means more,” Sam-Fong Talia said. “They are more selective and on the slower side to make sure you really check off all the boxes.”

Arizona State, BYU and NC State are the first few Power-4 offers for the talented young quarterback. On top of his visit to Clemson, he’s also made spring stops at Georgia and Virginia Tech and still has one scheduled with Auburn.

Sam-Fong Talia said he plans to work out at camp this summer, then return for a game-day visit in the fall. Just the next steps on the road to earning the offer from Clemson.

“It would mean a lot to me personally,” Sam-Fong Talia said. “They are very selective and only really offer three to four quarterbacks. The previous quarterbacks they offered in the last recruiting class, those are all top-notch quarterbacks. To be considered one those, that would mean a lot.”