Clemson Eyes Quarterback Khayel Sam Fong-Talia
Clemson is pursuing four-star quarterback Khayel Sam Fong-Talia as it searches for a target in the 2029 recruiting class.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Football
Clemson is searching for a quarterback target in the 2029 recruiting class, and four-star Khayel Sam Fong-Talia is a top candidate. Clemson recruiter Tajh Boyd visited Sam Fong-Talia's high school last week.
Why it matters
Clemson has already secured commitments from Kharim Hugley for 2027 and Trace Hawkins for 2028, and adding Sam Fong-Talia would extend that quarterback pipeline. His strong production this season and visits to campus underscore his standing among the program's recruiting priorities.
Sam Fong-Talia has passed for 1,804 yards and 18 touchdowns against five interceptions, and rushed for 921 yards and nine touchdowns in nine games this season. 247 ranks him third among quarterbacks in the class, but his final college choice has not been determined.
The players
Khayel Sam Fong-Talia
A four-star left-handed quarterback from South Forsyth in Georgia, ranked among the Top 85 players overall and third among quarterbacks in the class by 247.
Tajh Boyd
A former Clemson quarterback who now serves as an assistant coach recruiting for the program.
Clemson University
The Tigers' football program, which has been securing quarterback commitments for the 2027 and 2028 classes.
The details
Sam Fong-Talia is a 6-foot, 230-pound left-handed quarterback who began at Dillon before transferring to South Forsyth in Georgia ahead of his sophomore season. Kordell Stewart is on the South Forsyth coaching staff, and the quarterback has more than 20 offers and has rushed for more than 100 yards five times this season.
Timeline
Summer 2025: Clemson locked up quarterback Kharim Hugley for the 2027 class.
Late July: Trace Hawkins committed to Clemson for the 2028 class.
October 3: Sam Fong-Talia visited Clemson for the Miami game.
Last week: Tajh Boyd visited Sam Fong-Talia's high school.
Next summer: Offers for the 2029 class are expected to begin going out.
Season Trajectory
Clemson's pursuit of Sam Fong-Talia continues a pattern of landing highly rated quarterbacks in consecutive classes, following the 2027 and 2028 commitments. The competition for top-tier quarterbacks in the 2029 class will shape how the program fills its future depth chart.
Fans tracking Clemson's recruiting class can follow Sam Fong-Talia's season statistics and future visits as the program pursues quarterback targets. His rushing production this season, with more than seven yards per carry, adds a dual-threat profile to the recruiting picture.
The takeaway
Clemson's continued success in landing quarterbacks suggests the program is building depth for future seasons. Readers following the 2029 class should watch for offer announcements next summer.
What happens next
Offers for the 2029 recruiting class are expected to begin going out next summer.
Further reading
For more on college recruiting and team news, see the Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Clemson Insider.
