Clemson snags 4-star 2025 QB Blake Hebert: What his commitment means for Tigers

Blake Hebert, a four-star quarterback in the Class of 2025, committed to Clemson on Friday morning. Here’s what you need to know:

Hebert is the No. 170 prospect in the Class of 2025 and the No. 11 quarterback. He is the top player in Massachusetts.
He is the second recruit to join Clemson’s 2025 class, committing days after four-star running back Gideon Davidson committed to the program.
The Tigers have been on a recruiting tear as of late, picking up three blue-chippers in the Class of 2024 this month, in addition to Hebert and Davidson in 2025.

ALL IN!! I’m very excited to announce that I am committed to Clemson University!! @Hayesfawcett3
— Blake Hebert (@BlakeHeberttt) June 16, 2023

The Athletic’s instant analysis:

What this means for Clemson

This is great news for the Tigers, who don’t currently have a quarterback in the 2024 cycle. Dabo Swinney typically signs his next great quarterback every other year, but the Tigers got spoiled in 2023 by signing Christopher Vizzina just one year after Cade Klubnik arrived on campus. The timing sets up nicely for both Hebert and Clemson. Even if Klubnik is off to the NFL by 2025, Vizzina will still be a junior who can teach Hebert the ropes and get him ready for the 2026 season.

GO DEEPER

Clemson recruiting: What the Tigers are getting in QB Christopher Vizzina

This is also another statement from the Tigers, who plan to get back to the College Football Playoff as quickly as possible. There’s no denying Clemson was on the decline in 2021 and 2022, missing the Playoff both years, but this string of commitments shows that top prospects are still interested in Swinney’s program. This could also be the Garrett Riley effect, as well. Swinney hired TCU’s offensive guru this offseason after firing former offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter. We’ll still have to wait and see what the on-field results look like, but elite talent is clearly intrigued by Riley and his system. If Clemson makes a comeback to the national scene, we’ll look at this summer as the launching point.

What’s next

How spoiled is Swinney to already have two blue-chippers in the Class of 2025 that he can now recruit around? Every recruiting class needs a leader to help recruit his peers and now Clemson has two — a year-and-a-half before the 2025 early signing period. The pitch to wide receiver, tight end and offensive line targets just got a lot easier, with Clemson now boasting a top running back and a top quarterback already.

Don’t be surprised if Clemson leverages this with offensive tackle David Sanders. He’s the No. 2 player in the country in the Class of 2025 and the top offensive tackle. The Charlotte native got his Clemson offer on May 31st.

Backstory

Hebert very well could be considered the future of the program. Klubnik is a sophomore in 2023 and Vizzina is a freshman. But by the time Hebert arrives on campus in 2025, Klubnik would either be a senior or in the NFL, while Vizzina would be a junior.

Hebert got his Clemson offer just about two weeks ago, on June 1. Auburn and Notre Dame had also recently offered.