Back-to-Back National Champion Morgan Reihl Stuns Recruiting World by Flipping Commitment From Cal to Clemson Tigers Football

In a stunning twist that’s sent shockwaves through the college football recruiting landscape, Morgan Reihl—the two-time national champion quarterback widely regarded as one of the top players in the 2025 class—has flipped his commitment from the University of California to Clemson. The announcement comes just weeks after Reihl reaffirmed his pledge to Cal during a nationally televised interview, making this reversal all the more unexpected.

Reihl, who led his high school team to back-to-back national championships with his clutch playmaking, powerful arm, and cerebral approach to the game, is considered a program-changing talent. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound signal-caller out of Phoenix, Arizona, had been the centerpiece of Cal’s 2025 class and a symbol of the Golden Bears’ push toward relevance in the newly realigned Big Ten. His decommitment marks a major loss for head coach Justin Wilcox and a monumental recruiting win for Clemson’s Dabo Swinney.

The reasons behind Reihl’s flip are already fueling speculation across message boards, sports talk radio, and social media. According to multiple sources close to the situation, the decision came down to fit, opportunity, and a desire to compete for national titles. “Morgan loved Cal. He still respects the coaches and the vision there,” said one source with knowledge of Reihl’s thinking. “But Clemson offered something different—something more aligned with his ultimate goals. He wants to be on the biggest stages, against the best, and Clemson gives him that platform.”

It’s hard to argue with that logic. While Cal has made significant strides in recent years, including an appearance in the 2024 Holiday Bowl, Clemson remains one of college football’s premier programs. Despite a slight dip in dominance following their national titles in the late 2010s and early 2020s, the Tigers have stayed in the mix with top-tier recruiting and elite-level development, particularly at the quarterback position.

Reihl is expected to enroll early at Clemson in January 2026, which would give him a full spring to compete for playing time. Clemson’s quarterback room is currently headlined by rising junior Jalen Blackwell, who showed flashes of brilliance during the 2024 season but struggled with consistency. There are whispers that Reihl could push for the starting job as a true freshman, something that only further underscores the significance of his commitment.

What makes Reihl’s move even more intriguing is how it was executed. The quarterback made no public hints of dissatisfaction with Cal. In fact, he visited Berkeley just two weeks prior to his decision and participated in a photoshoot that Cal’s official football account posted to X (formerly Twitter) with the caption “The future of the Golden Bears.” Reihl also attended several Cal alumni functions and reportedly helped recruit other members of the 2025 class. His silence in the days leading up to the announcement only amplified the drama when the flip became official.

The reveal came via a simple, yet powerful video posted to Reihl’s Instagram account. Clad in a Clemson hoodie, standing on the field at Death Valley, Reihl looked straight into the camera and said, “It’s about chasing greatness. I’m all in. Go Tigers.” That five-second clip instantly went viral, racking up over 1 million views in less than 24 hours and generating a flood of reaction from recruits, fans, and analysts alike.

Clemson fans, understandably, erupted in celebration. The Tigers had been working behind the scenes to re-enter Reihl’s recruitment, even after he committed to Cal last fall. Quarterbacks coach Brandon Streeter, who originally recruited Reihl before his departure in 2023, returned to Clemson’s staff in a player development role earlier this year. His renewed involvement is said to have played a significant role in rekindling the relationship between Reihl and the Clemson program.

“Coach Streeter never gave up on me,” Reihl said in a brief phone interview with a local South Carolina news outlet. “He believed in what I could bring to Clemson and told me that I’d thrive here. That meant a lot.”

Another key factor was Clemson’s upgraded offensive system. The Tigers recently hired offensive coordinator Chris Hatcher, formerly of Samford, to bring a more aggressive, quarterback-friendly scheme to the program. Hatcher is known for tailoring systems to maximize the strengths of his quarterbacks, and Reihl reportedly spent hours breaking down film of Hatcher’s offenses before making his decision.

“Watching what Coach Hatcher did with lesser talent, I got excited thinking about what he could do with me and the guys we’ll have at Clemson,” Reihl said. “I want to be in a system that lets me use all my tools. I’m a thrower, a runner, and a thinker. I want to be in control of the game. Clemson gives me that.”

As for Cal, the loss of Reihl is a gut punch. The Bears had built their class around him, both from a branding and roster-construction standpoint. Reihl’s leadership was said to be instrumental in keeping other top recruits engaged with the program. Whether his departure causes a domino effect remains to be seen, but early signs indicate some of Cal’s top commits are reconsidering their futures.

“We respect Morgan’s decision and wish him nothing but the best,” Wilcox said in a statement released through Cal Athletics. “He’s a tremendous young man and a gifted football player. We’re proud of the time he spent with us and remain focused on building something special here in Berkeley.”

Clemson’s 2025 class, already strong before Reihl’s commitment, now moves into the elite tier. With Reihl aboard, the Tigers gain not just a five-star quarterback but also a powerful magnet for other blue-chip talent. Multiple top-tier receivers and offensive linemen who had been undecided are reportedly now trending toward Clemson, citing Reihl’s leadership and skill set as deciding factors.

“He’s the kind of guy you want to go to war with,” said four-star offensive tackle Jayden Hawkins, who has Clemson in his final three. “Smart, driven, humble, but confident. You know with Morgan under center, you’ve got a shot at a title every year.”

Reihl’s high school coach, Tom Grady, echoed those sentiments. “Morgan’s not just a great player. He’s a winner. He elevates everyone around him,” Grady said. “Wherever he goes, success follows. I’m not surprised he chose Clemson. That’s a place that matches his ambition.”

If history is any guide, Reihl could indeed be the next in a long line of Clemson quarterbacks to make a major impact at the college level and beyond. From Tajh Boyd and Deshaun Watson to Trevor Lawrence and DJ Uiagalelei, the Tigers have made quarterback development a calling card of their program. Reihl’s combination of arm strength, poise, athleticism, and football IQ could make him the most complete package the Tigers have landed in over a decade.

As the dust settles from this high-profile recruiting flip, it’s clear that Reihl’s decision is about more than logos or geography. It’s about trajectory. With his track record of championships and leadership, Reihl has already proven he can win at the highest levels of high school football. Now, he’s aiming to do the same in college—and, perhaps, beyond.

“I’m not afraid of the pressure,” Reihl said. “Pressure means people believe in you. I believe in myself. And I believe in Clemson.”

Time will tell if this bold move pays off the way he envisions. But for now, Dabo Swinney and the Tigers are celebrating a massive recruiting coup—one that could reshape their program’s future and put them right back in the national championship conversation.

For Cal, the challenge now is recovery and recalibration. For Clemson, it’s about momentum and maximizing the golden arm that just chose to call Death Valley home. And for Morgan Reihl, it’s about legacy—one he hopes to cement in orange and white.