QB Tait Reynolds Commits to Clemson, ‘Dead Set’ on Playing Football

Clemson has landed its first commitment of the 2026 recruiting class and at the most important position.

2026 QB Tait Reynolds (Queen Creek, AZ) told The Clemson Insider that he has committed to the Tigers, choosing Clemson over other schools that included Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Miami. In total, the young signal-caller has close to 30 offers with Florida State, Tennessee, Oregon and Washington being just a few of the other schools to have offered.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound prospect picked up his offer from the Tigers in early June after working out at Dabo Swinney’s high school camp. Reynolds was on campus much of that first week in June, worked out on two different days and was the Tigers’ first QB offer of the class.

“It was different out there,” Reynolds said. “It was a different feel. Coach Riley and coach Swinney are just awesome. Two of the best coaches I’ve been around. It was really awesome working with them and learning from them, and I just knew that was the place I wanted to be.”

As for what makes Clemson different, Reynolds had a lot of time to experience the culture inside of the program and it really resonated.

“Just the way they treat people honestly and not just because I’m a recruit or something,” he said. “They want me to go to school. It’s just everybody that was there. They treated me awesome. Just genuine. They know how to act and how to treat people and they’re real about it.”

The fact that he sees himself as a really good fit in the Tigers’ offense was also appealing.

“I feel like I can do everything that’s asked,” Reynolds said. “It’s really simple and very quarterback friendly.”

Reynolds is a two-sport standout that was at one time committed to play baseball at Arizona State, before decommitting last week. He becomes the first addition to the Tigers’ 2026 class, with the On3 Industry Ranking listing him as a 4-star and ranking him inside the Top 250 overall and No. 2 in the state of Arizona.

After high school, Reynolds would like to continue playing both sports at the next level, even if he only plays baseball during his freshman season. As a quarterback, doing both will present some challenges, but Reynolds feels like he is already being well-prepared.

“I feel like it’s even hard in high school,” added Reynolds. “I’m bouncing around, flying to places, but I feel like I can do it and I’m ready for that.”

While he hasn’t been allowed to communicate with head baseball coach Erik Bakich yet due to NCAA rules, Reynolds said he’d already seen enough.

“I just thought the time was right,” Reynolds said. “I’ve seen with the baseball coaches, they’re really successful too. They had a great year this year. They’re a lot of fun to watch, and there was really nothing more I needed to see.”

And for those worrying that baseball might take him away from playing football in college, the rising high school junior made his future plans crystal clear.

“Right now, I’m dead set on football, I really want to play football,” Reynolds said. “It’s always been a dream of mine. I really just love the game.”

A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available. Get yours while supplies last! Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!