In a major recruiting shock that has sent ripples across the college football world, one of the nation’s top five-star quarterback prospects has officially flipped his commitment from Iowa State to the Clemson Tigers. The decision marks a pivotal win for Dabo Swinney and the Clemson program as they continue to aggressively rebuild their recruiting dominance for the 2026 cycle.
The highly touted signal-caller, whose name had been a fixture atop national recruiting boards for months, initially pledged to Iowa State earlier this year, citing early relationships with the coaching staff and an opportunity to start early. However, after a series of behind-the-scenes conversations, campus visits, and private workouts, Clemson made a late and decisive push that ultimately swayed the quarterback’s future plans.
Why Clemson?
Sources close to the situation reveal that the quarterback was blown away by Clemson’s culture, NFL development track record, and offensive vision. His recent unofficial visit to Death Valley reportedly “sealed the deal,” with Swinney and offensive coordinator Garrett Riley laying out a clear path for the young phenom to lead the program’s future.
“Clemson is just different,” the quarterback said in a statement following his announcement. “The energy, the tradition, the coaching—it’s the type of place where quarterbacks thrive, and I want to be part of that legacy.”
A Massive Win for Clemson’s 2026 Class
With this commitment flip, Clemson now holds a verbal pledge from one of the most elite quarterbacks in the country—a player who is widely regarded as a future Heisman contender and potential first-round NFL Draft pick. This move also significantly boosts the Tigers’ 2026 recruiting class, which is now pushing toward the top-five nationally.
For Iowa State, the decommitment is a significant blow. Head coach Matt Campbell had made the quarterback a centerpiece of the Cyclones’ future, and his departure will likely force the staff back to the drawing board with less than a year before national signing day.
What’s Next?
This high-profile flip not only underscores Clemson’s resurgence on the recruiting trail but also sends a loud message to the rest of the ACC and national programs: the Tigers are far from finished. After a down year by their lofty standards, Swinney and his staff are clearly on a mission to return to the College Football Playoff—and now they have their quarterback of the future in tow.
Expect national eyes to remain on Clemson’s next moves as the Tigers look to ride this momentum into more elite commitments before the season kicks off.
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