He definitely has options, and it sounds like he has the potential to be a very strong student.
Here in Florida, two years at a community college and obtaining an A.A. basically fulfills your Gen Ed requirements and guarantees you a spot at a state university, though not necessarily the university of your choice (but if you have high GPA you have good odds of going where you want to). Since many of these classes are the same course numbers at CC or State U., there’s no real harm done going to CC and sometimes it’s a better option, depending on the student and the situation.
But before you go the CC route I would definitely look at options where he might get merit $$ for that ACT. Generally speaking, he’s more “valuable” as a first-time-in-college student than a transfer (but there are exceptions to this too).
Good luck and congrats!