If Clemson needed a reminder that its future at quarterback is still bright, ESPN just delivered it.
Senior national recruiting analyst Tom Luginbill broke down the top junior quarterbacks in the 2027 class and circled Clemson commit Kharim Hughley as a potential perfect match for what the Tigers want to be on offense — and a player who could shake up the depth chart when he arrives.
Luginbill: Hughley Could Be Clemson’s Next Tajh Boyd
Hughley, a 6-foot, 190-pound dual-threat from Gainesville (Ga.) High School, is rated as a four-star by ESPN and the No. 5 dual-threat quarterback in the 2027 class. He also checks in as the No. 117 overall prospect nationally.
On tape, Luginbill sees a familiar Clemson prototype.
He described Hughley as a dual-threat from Georgia who could remind Tigers fans of former star Tajh Boyd, noting that his skill set is tailor-made for what Clemson wants to do offensively. In Luginbill’s view, Hughley has the tools to thrive in the same kind of run-pass blend that made Boyd so dangerous in Chad Morris’ system — and that Garrett Riley has shown he can weaponize.
Hughley committed to Clemson in July, just days after picking up an offer, becoming one of only four pledges currently in the Tigers’ 2027 class.
Built for Garrett Riley’s Offense
The fit isn’t just about where he’s from or who he resembles. It’s about scheme.
Luginbill believes Hughley should excel in the run concepts Riley used so effectively with Max Duggan at TCU, adding that the junior is a more dynamic passer than Cade Klubnik at the same stage. Hughley’s “backyard football” feel — the ability to improvise while still delivering the ball on time — is part of the intrigue.
He highlighted Hughley’s snappy release and strong arm, paired with that sandlot style, as traits that could make him an early factor in the quarterback room. If Clemson’s other quarterbacks struggle with efficiency by the time he gets to campus, Luginbill thinks Hughley has the ability to push his way into the conversation quickly.
Production That Matches the Praise
This isn’t blind projection. Hughley’s numbers at Gainesville back up the buzz.
As of earlier this month, he had thrown for 1,944 yards while completing 66 percent of his passes, with 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He’s also a legitimate threat on the ground, adding six rushing scores this season.
His sophomore year was just as efficient: 2,543 passing yards, 22 touchdown passes, only two picks and three rushing touchdowns. That blend of accuracy, production and mobility is exactly why evaluators see him as one of the most complete dual-threats in his class.
He also comes from a familiar pipeline. Gainesville is the same program that produced former Clemson star and national champion quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Why Clemson Still Feels Like the ‘Perfect Fit’
On paper, a down year might have given a 2027 quarterback reason to pause. Hughley never flinched.
He said he quickly realized how naturally he fit into Dabo Swinney’s culture and hasn’t wavered despite the Tigers’ recent struggles.
“The people, Coach Swinney, there’s just so much that goes into it. It’s a whole bunch,” Hughley said earlier this month. “It just feels like the perfect fit.”
Between the ESPN evaluation, his production and the scheme fit under Riley, Clemson believes it has its next dual-threat cornerstone already in the fold. If the current room doesn’t stabilize by the time he arrives, Hughley may not need long to prove Luginbill right.