Clemson missed out on its top two quarterback targets for the 2021 class in five-star Caleb Williams and four-star Christian Veilleux, but the Tigers Wednesday did land a talented prospect they just recently offered in Bubba Chandler (6-4 195) of Bogart, GA. Chandler was not a heavily recruited quarterback until Clemson offered, and then Miami, Louisville and Ole Miss followed with offers.
A major reason for that was he had been a Georgia baseball commitment since last June, so he wasn’t highly thought of in football recruiting circles. Clemson quarterbacks coach Brandon Streeter moved on Chandler after reviewing his junior film and having several virtual meetings with him.
“It’s been crazy, it’s been really sweet, I never dreamed of it, if we’re going to be honest, ” Chandler said. “A few of my buddies and I were talking and saying when we were freshmen we never even played on the football and how cool it would be to to play at Clemson, and now I have the opportunity to do so. It’s just different there. They’re bringing in guys that are like me who don’t have the stars and the publicity and turn them into first-round draft picks like Isaiah Simmons.”
Chandler had very good numbers last season…2100 passing yards and 27 touchdowns, 75% completion percentage, and 500 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. He likes to compare his game to what Clemson fans have grown accustomed to.
“Trevor Lawrence and Deshaun Watson, I try to pattern my game after those two guys, kind of a mix, ” Chandler said. “Trevor is a good runner but Watson was better. Trevor has a freaking cannon. I try to be able to make all the throws that he can and try to be able to make all the runs and good moves that Deshaun does”
Clemson, of course, is well stocked in their quarterback room for the foreseeable future with DJ Uiagalelei and Taisun Phommachanh. That is not a concern to Chandler.
“I’m not afraid of competition,” Chandler said. “I’ve got all the respect for them. I don’t really know Taisun but D.J. I watched him on QB1 and you can see that on film and on the field. I feel like I’m just as good as him in some aspects of the game and I want to go there and compete.”
Chandler also plans to play baseball for Clemson and has been talking with coach Monte Lee about joining his program. At the time his season ended this spring, as a right handed pitcher and shortstop, he was 2-0 with 16 strikeouts in 7 innings, and he was hitting .435.
Chandler is the Tigers second commitment from Georgia in as many days and he gives Clemson an even dozen pledges for the 2021 class. Five of those commitments are from Georgia.
