Clemson has its quarterback for the next recruiting cycle.

Four-star Trace Hawkins (Calhoun, GA) announced a commitment to the Tigers on Thursday, choosing Clemson over other finalists that included LSU, Duke, Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech. Kentucky was originally one of his six finalists put out last week.

“I see myself fitting pretty good,” Hawkins recently told TCI. “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.”

The 6-foot-1 signal-caller is one of two quarterbacks in the 2028 class to hold an offer from Clemson. Hawkins first visited last season for the Duke game, then returned twice in the spring. He was on hand for the spring game in late March, then was back on campus for the spring elite day in April.

Hawkins made his next appearance the first week of June when he worked out at Dabo Swinney’s high school camp, where he was one of the top quarterbacks to compete.

As a sophomore last season, Hawkins threw for 2,442 yards with 24 touchdowns to just three interceptions. He also had three rushing touchdowns.

247 ranks him as the 16th-best quarterback in the class, while Rivals ranks him No. 255 overall.

With the announcement, Hawkins becomes the Tigers’ first verbal pledge in the 2028 class.

“As a quarterback, you need to commit kind of early,” Hawkins also told TCI. “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.”