CLEMSON — At one time, before Tait Reynolds came to Clemson and began pushing Chris Vizzina for the role as the Tigers’ starting quarterback, he appeared destined to play collegiate baseball.

Before he camped at Clemson during the summer of 2024, when he emerged as the Tigers’ top target at the position, he was actually committed to play baseball for Arizona State. Shortly after that workout, he secured an offer from Clemson to play football, and a decommitment would shortly follow, as did a commitment to the Tigers.

Make no mistake, Clemson wasn’t the only program that chose to pursue Reynolds as a quarterback. He would wind up with right at 30 offers in total, including Florida State, Miami, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas A&M, TCU, Washington and Utah. After a stellar showing at the Elite 11 in the summer of 2025, he was a hot prospect in both sports, and throughout his recruitment, he remained committed to playing both at Clemson.

With Reynolds enrolling in January and going through spring practice, he was never going to suit up for Erik Bakich’s baseball team in 2026. However, that doesn’t mean he won’t give baseball a shot at some point down the line.

“Tait is a super athlete, and we are excited to watch him this football season,” Bakich said on Friday from the Smart Family Media Center. “I have listened to all of Dabo’s press conferences, and it sounds like he and Vizzina are right in the battle there. One and two.”

When asked if the plan was for Reynolds to join the baseball team for next season, Bakich didn’t sound overly optimistic, but the head coach did leave the door open for the freshman quarterback to potentially make his debut on the baseball diamond in 2027.

“Possibly, yeah,” Bakich added. “But right now the plan is let’s kick some butt as a quarterback.”

Many players have excelled at both sports in the past, including Kyle Parker, who started at quarterback for the Tigers and for the baseball team. However, it’s never been as challenging as it is in the current era.

Football is basically year-round these days, as is baseball. When the baseball team meets for the first time next week, Reynolds will still be competing with Vizzina for QB1 in fall camp. Not to mention the scheduling conflicts that would come up during spring football practice, when baseball season is in full swing.

However, as Dabo Swinney likes to say, never say never.

“Really excited about Tait and watching him on the gridiron,” Bakich added. “When it is time to shift gears to baseball, we are ready to do that. But right now, all his energy is on being the best quarterback for Clemson.”