Peach State Standout from a Familiar School Draws Clemson’s Attention

On July 5, Kharim Hughley‍ announced via X (formerly Twitter) that he received an offer from Clemson. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound quarterback is from Gainesville High (GA), the same program that produced former Tigers' legend and Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson.

“Everyone in Gainesville knows Deshaun Watson. He’s a legend regardless of the sport," said Hughley about the two-time Heisman Trophy finalist. "He set a lot of records and still holds a lot of records. He also had a really good college career, and he won a national championship at Clemson.”

Hughley, ranked the No. 4 quarterback in the 2027 class according to ESPN, knew comparisons to Watson were inevitable—but he wants to carve out his own identity.

“Obviously, it’s a pleasure to be compared to a guy like Deshaun Watson,” he said. “But personally, I don’t really like it as much, just because I’m my own person, and I don’t want to be viewed as the next Deshaun Watson or anything of that nature. Because what he set is what he set—and all I can do is set my own goals and strive to be better.”

The Clemson offer came weeks after Hughley impressed at Dabo Swinney’s camp in June—his first time on campus. Though the visit was his introduction to the Upstate campus, he was familiar with the program.

“I have a former teammate who goes there. So, he tells me a lot about it,” Hughley said, referring to redshirt freshman defensive lineman Champ Thompson. “And I’m also friends with Max Brown‍, the linebacker commit they have.”

Brown, a 2027 linebacker out of Jefferson (Ga.), committed to the Tigers in June and is the younger brother of Clemson freshman All-American linebacker Sammy Brown.

Hughley’s camp performance caught the attention of both head coach Dabo Swinney and offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, who ultimately extended the offer.

“I felt I performed the best at that camp than I performed at any camp this season,” said Hughley, who passed for 2,543 yards with 22 touchdowns and two interceptions last season. “So, I did expect an offer to come eventually.”

Beyond the Watson connection and familiar faces, Hughley said Clemson’s culture and offense could be a natural fit.

"Coach Swinney has set a culture there that is morally similar to my household and kind of how things are run. So, it’s more like an at-home feeling, and it’s close," he noted. "And their offense is extremely similar to the one I run at my school,” he said. “So, if I were to commit there, the transition from learning plays would be easier.”

Clemson is one of 16 programs that have already offered Hughley, with a list that includes Auburn, Georgia, Florida, Florida State, Ole Miss, and South Carolina.

When asked whether Clemson or Georgia might hold an edge due to obvious ties, Hughley revealed a surprise allegiance.

“I don’t have a dream school, but I do have a school that I typically supported before the recruiting process," said Hughley. “My family and I support Auburn during the football season. That’s just how it’s been because my dad, my grandparents, and my whole family are from Alabama. So they’re strong Auburn fans.”

Hughley doesn’t have a commitment date just yet, either.

“No, sir. But yes, sir,” he said about a possible timeline for his decision. “It can be when I know it’s right… It could be next week. It could be two weeks from now, two months, or a year from now.”

Whenever that time comes, he says the key factors will be quarterback development, the offensive system, overall fit, and one big question: “Can I see myself living there?”

Until then, Clemson fans may get another look at Hughley this fall. He’s eyeing a visit to the Tigers’ season opener against LSU.

“I’ll probably go to the opening game against LSU,” he said. “So, I’ll be back on campus—but I’m not 100% sure yet. In the meantime, I’ll keep talking to Coach Riley and the rest of the coaches to keep building relationships with them.”