Peach State quarterback looks ahead to big Clemson visit

Gauthier poses in front of a Tiger paw.

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Thu Sep 05 17:14:52 GMT-04:00 2019

One of the Peach State's top quarterbacks in the 2021 recruiting cycle is headed back to Clemson for a big weekend visit.

Colten Gauthier of Dacula (GA) Hebron Christian Academy is one of the quarterbacks Clemson is evaluating for an offer in the next round of recruiting. He made a six-hour visit with the Tigers in late July, his first time on the campus. He will return Saturday for the Texas A&M game knowing he is one of a small number of candidates for '21 offer.

“As things stand, they are looking at three 2021 quarterbacks and I am one of them,” Gauthier said. “As far as an offer, they have mentioned that that is a possibility, but they are wanting to come watch me play this year. A Clemson offer would be a great offer and it would be a privilege to receive one from them. As with all the offers I receive, I will sit down with my family and my head coach and offensive coordinator, Jeff Saturday and John Russ, and discuss all possibilities.”

What was the highlight of the Clemson visit in July?

“I would say there was a bunch of highlights. Being on the field at the stadium and walking up and down the hill and being able to touch Howard’s Rock also talking to coach (Brandon) Streeter for one-and-a-half hours in the QB room about Clemson football and the culture,” Gauthier said. “They also told me that I am a high priority for them at the QB spot for 2021 class, and hopefully he will offer me after he sees me throw live this fall at my practice or one of my games.”

South Carolina is one of Gauthier’s offers at this point. The Gamecocks offered in May after quarterbacks coach Dan Werner made a spring evaluation. The Gamecocks remain a contender, as well, and he plans to visit for the Kentucky game.

“I talk to coach Werner every week,” Gauthier said. “The plans haven’t changed and they continue to be a high priority for me. Nothing has changed. I am their quarterback in 2021 and I still feel good about them.”

Gauthier said he will visit UCF September 15th. His offer list consists of South Carolina, Syracuse, Pitt, Georgia Tech, Miami, UCF, South Florida, Troy, Colorado, Boston College, Louisville, Kentucky, Duke, West Virginia and Virginia Tech. Along with Clemson, he’s also hearing from Texas Tech, Missouri, Purdue, North Carolina, and Oklahoma State.

According to stats from MaxPreps, in two games this season Gauthier has thrown for 410 yards, 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. For his career, he’s at 2,670 yards, 24 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in 18 games.