Dabo Swinney names Christopher Vizzina leading the pack for Clemson's starting quarterback role. Can he reclaim the Tigers' winning tradition?
Clemson had high expectations for Cade Klubnik in 2025.
The quarterback had an impressive season in 2024, throwing for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions, helping the Tigers win the ACC championship and make the College Football Playoff.
Klubnik underwhelmed in 2025, finishing with 2,943 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. Clemson finished 7-6.
Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney is hoping for improvement in 2026 under new offensive coordinator Chad Morris. Clemson will have a quarterback competition between Christopher Vizzina, Chris Denson and Tait Reynolds.
Per On3, Swinney said Vizzina was in the "pole position" to take the starting job in the fall.
“I want to see him take it and run with it,” Swinney said of Vizzina. “As I said, he’s got the pole position, so I want to see him show up every day, not get too high, not get too low, and just show up every single day and prove it. Just bring that edge every day.
"Obviously you want to see leadership at that position. I think he’s a natural. He’s got a lot of great relationships with guys on this team. He’s not a guy that just showed up here. He’s been working toward this.”
Swinney wants Vizzina to take command of Morris' offense.
During his first two seasons at Clemson, Vizzina has thrown for 596 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.
Swinney said he's enjoyed watching Vizzina, Denson and Reynolds compete this offseason.
“But it’s been fun. It’s been fun watching all those guys prepare,” Swinney said. “But again, (I want to see Vizzina) show up every day. Prove it, earn it.
"Great leadership, great command of what he’s doing, and handle the good times and the tough times, because they’ll both happen in practice.”
Denson appeared in two games for Clemson last season, but earned no passing stats against SMU. He went 4-of-4 passing for 22 yards and one touchdown in the Tigers' 45-10 win over Furman on Nov. 22.
Clemson's offense was a mess in offensive coordinator Garrett Riley's final season with the program. Swinney needs Morris to develop a quarterback capable of returning the Tigers to the CFP.
Maybe Vizzina can do that.