Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney has revealed some surprising information on the quarterback competition.
Heading into the spring, just about everyone assumed that Christopher Vizzina and Chris Denson would be competing for the Clemson Tigers' starting quarterback job, but that's not exactly how events have transpired.
Yes, Vizzina is in the lead for the starting job, so that does not come as much of a surprise. But it's who is No. 2 that may shock you.
Early last week, we heard that freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds was getting second-team reps, which was certainly a bit of a stunner considering that the prevailing thought was Denson was Vizzina's top challenger.
Some wrote it off as Dabo Swinney just giving Reynolds some reps to build his confidence and see what he had moving forward.
But apparently, it was much more serious than that.
Over the weekend, Swinney revealed some new information on Clemson's quarterback race, and it's a bit o a stunner.
"We came out of the spring, CV one and Tait is two [on the depth chart]. It’s not close," Swinney said following the Orange and White Game on Saturday. "Those two guys separated, and that’s where we are. That’s just where we are."
Clemson Tigers coach Dabo Swinney with quarterback Tait Reynolds. Credit: Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.So either Reynolds has been remarkably impressive, or Denson — who some felt could actually beat out Vizzina — has been incredibly disappointing. Or maybe it was a combination of both.
“So, we’re coming out of spring with some clarity,” Swinney added. “I think we needed that. The team needed that, the players needed that, and I think they all knew that. So, coming out of it now with two clear guys, we can go into the summer.”
Reynolds initially committed to Clemson back in July 2024 and officially signed with the Tigers this past December. The Queen Creek, Az. native was a three-star prospect at the time of his recruitment.
Meanwhile, Vizzina is entering his redshirt junior campaign with Clemson after sitting behind Cade Klubnik for the first three years of his collegiate career.
Swinney made it very clear following the 2025 campaign that Vizzina would be the favorite to take the starting job under center with Klubnik headed to the NFL, so the fact that Vizzina is in front is no shocker.
But evidently, Vizzina has to watch his back, as Reynolds seems to be approaching quickly.
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