Clemson didn’t just sign two quarterbacks early — it signed two very different answers to the same question: what does the next era at the position look like?
On Wednesday, Dabo Swinney turned signing-day formality into a full-on endorsement of four-star Tait Reynolds and three-star Brock Bradley, praising both as fits for Clemson’s long-standing quarterback blueprint — and raving about what makes each one distinct.
“If you track how we’ve recruited quarterbacks since I’ve been the head coach, you know, we were very, very diligent,” Swinney said. “We do a lot of due diligence… These two guys fit everything I was looking for in the position. And that’s Brock Bradley and Tait Reynolds.”
Brock Bradley: production, edge, and a “winner” tag
Bradley arrives from Spain Park (Alabama) with the kind of résumé Clemson traditionally values at quarterback: measurable production, steady decision-making, and—most importantly to Swinney—proof that he thrives in competitive environments.
He finished his high school career with 7,694 passing yards, completing 65% of his throws with 87 touchdowns against 15 interceptions, and he became Spain Park’s all-time leader in wins. Swinney didn’t dress it up. He labeled it.
“Brock is a winner,” Swinney said. “This kid… he’s Baker Mayfield-ish, if you will. He’s just a winner. And he’s always been a winner… He’s not afraid to compete. Matter of fact, he looks forward to that.”
Bradley’s senior season backed up the profile: 2,930 yards and 32 touchdowns, guiding a 9–3 run that pushed deep enough to matter in Alabama’s weekly gauntlet.
Tait Reynolds: “unique,” explosive, and built for big plays
Reynolds is a different kind of evaluation — the type of athlete that forces a staff to think less in boxes and more in upside.
A high-level baseball player who blossomed into one of the top quarterbacks in his class, Reynolds made noise in the Elite 11 setting and flashed a dual-threat ceiling that jumps off the stat sheet from his junior year: 2,238 passing yards, 22 passing TDs, plus 1,426 rushing yards and 19 rushing TDs. A hamstring injury slowed his senior season, but Clemson’s belief clearly didn’t flinch.
“This is one of the most unique kids I’ve recruited,” Swinney said. “This is a special talent. He’s a hard guy to describe. He can fly.”
The commitment goes beyond the words. Reynolds is putting baseball on hold so he can enroll early and fully dive into football — a decision Swinney highlighted as a tell.
“He wanted to come mid-year, and he wants to compete,” Swinney said. “Tate is… he’s an elite talent. I think this guy has tremendous upside and can’t wait to get started with both of these quarterbacks.”
The bigger takeaway: Clemson built a QB room with options
Clemson didn’t chase two quarterbacks early to collect stars. It did it to create range.
Bradley reads like the classic operator: proven winner, high-volume production, steady efficiency.
Reynolds reads like the matchup weapon: a rare athlete with speed, creativity, and a ceiling that can change games.
That mix—floor and upside, stability and electricity—is exactly how Clemson keeps the position from becoming one-dimensional. And based on Swinney’s tone, Clemson didn’t just like this QB haul.
It loved it.