The Clemson Tigers have landed a new quarterback prediction with Cade Klubnik set to depart for the NFL Draft.
The Clemson Tigers have been very comfortable with Cade Klubnik at the quarterback position for the past three seasons, but that era is about to come to an end.
Klubnik will play his final game for Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl this Saturday, as the senior's eligibility will have expired.
The Tigers will now have to figure out who will be under center for them in 2026, and while they have a bevy of potential options at hand (including scouring the transfer portal), there does appear to be one favorite at the moment: Christopher Vizzina.
The redshirt sophomore made one start in 2025, going 29-for-42 with 317 yards and three touchdowns in a loss to SMU back in October.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has already insinuated that Vizzina is currently the frontrunner to win the starting job next season, and Manny Navarro of The Athletic also seems to expect Vizzina to emerge victorious.
Clemson Tigers quarterback Christopher Vizzina. Credit: Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images."There are rumors that DJ Lagway could end up at Clemson. But is Dabo Swinney ready to use the transfer portal?" Navarro wrote. "Vizzina, a former top-100 recruit who has waited three years behind Cade Klubnik, should beat out the three three-star recruits Swinney has signed the last two cycles."
Vizzina landed at Clemson in 2023 and has thrown 105 passes in total since arriving, completing 64 of them for 596 yards, four touchdowns and a pick.
The Tigers also have freshman Chris Denson waiting in the wings, and they will be adding recruits Tait Reynolds and Brock Bradley for 2026, as well.
However, Vizzina is definitely the most experienced option of the bunch and absolutely should begin the quarterback competition out in front.
Of course, that does not mean Vizzina is guaranteed the job. Swinney has made it clear that he will have to fight for it. But it certainly makes sense to put Vizzina at the top of the depth chart for now and then re-evaluate next summer.
Clemson went 7-5 this season, marking its worst finish since Swinney's second year at the helm back in 2010. The Tigers entered the campaign with national championship hopes but instead were one of the most disappointing teams in the country.