Clemson Tigers coach Dabo Swinney has revealed a rather significant update on the team's quarterback situation.
For the past three seasons, the Clemson Tigers have been very comfortable with Cade Klubnik under center. Sure, there have been some rocky moments, but Klubnik has been a consummate professional, and for the most part, he has played tremendously well.
But Klubnik is departing Clemson after this year, leaving a gaping hole at the quarterback position.
Some have wondered if the Tigers will scour the transfer portal to find an answer, but Clemson's answer may already be in house.
The Tigers landed signal-callers Tait Reynolds and Brock Bradley on early national signing day, and Chris Denson — who will be a redshirt freshman in 2026 — will also get a crack at the job.
But perhaps the favorite (at least right now) is Christopher Vizzina, who got a start against SMU this season and actually looked pretty impressive.
Swinney provided an update on Vizzina this week.
“We just signed two to come compete, and we got Denson here to compete,” Swinney told reporters. “And we got [Vizzina], who’s really only played one true game from a start standpoint, who’s here to compete."
Clemson Tigers quarterback Christopher Vizzina. Credit: GREENVILLE NEWS-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images.Based on Swinney's comments, it seems pretty clear that he is confident in Vizzina to ultimately take the torch from Klubnik.
"We only offered two quarterbacks in his class – him and Arch Manning. That was the only two we offered, and we beat a lot of people to get [Vizzina]," Swinney added. "And this kid’s done his part, and he’s been waiting his time, and now’s his time."
Vizzina went 29-for-42 with 317 yards and three touchdowns during Clemson's loss to SMU on Oct. 18 and has thrown a grand total of 105 passes since joining the Tigers in 2023 (he was a redshirt sophomore this year).
Nothing will be handed to him, though.
“Now, he’s got to win the job," Swinney said. "Obviously he’s kind of where you start, but you’ve got to win it. Same thing with Denson. Denson didn’t come here just to stand on the sideline. He came here to compete. So, let’s go compete."
The Tigers were one of the most disappointing teams in college football this season, going just 7-5. It marked their worst finish since Swinney's second year at the helm in 2010.
We'll see if Vizzina is the man to lift the program out of the doldrums in 2026.