Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney is being criticized for a questionable decision.
Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney broke protocol by actually getting active in the transfer portal this winter, landing 10 players thus far.
That is the double the amount of transfers Swinney landed between 2022 and 2025, so clearly, the two-time national champion has been open to change this offseason.
But is Swinney doing enough?
While Clemson has definitely added some impressive pieces in the transfer portal, the Tigers have failed to address two critical areas: offensive line and quarterback.
Clemson watched as their top offensive line targets signed elsewhere, and it hasn't even really made much of an effort to bag a signal-caller.
This has rubbed Will Vandervort of The Clemson Insider the wrong way, and he feels it could ultimately sabotage the Tigers next season.
"In other words, Clemson’s offense, with all the weapons that it has coming back, and added with Chris Johnson, Jr., will have to get it done with Christopher Vizzina or Chris Denson at quarterback," Vandervort wrote. "Those names do not exactly have you thinking ACC Championship or College Football Playoff, do they?"
Clemson Tigers quarterback Christopher Vizzina. Credit: Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.Vandervort went on to criticize Swinney for being a bit too obstinate.
"It makes you wonder if Dabo Swinney’s stubbornness to not pull an experienced quarterback out of the portal will cost the Tigers before spring practice even starts," Vandervort wrote. "It is a head scratcher for sure."
Vizzina started one game for Clemson this past season, going 29-for-42 with 317 yards and three touchdowns in a loss to SMU.
The redshirt sophomore has gone 64-for-105 overall during his time with the Tigers, totaling 596 yards, four touchdowns and a pick.
Meanwhile, Denson completed all four of his passes during his freshman campaign in 2025, registering 22 yards and a score. He also carried the ball seven times for 108 yards while reaching the end zone once.
Vizzina is a former four-star recruit and has a bit more experience, so he definitely has the edge to start in 2026, but Denson will be competing for the job, as well.
There is still time for Swinney to add a quarterback via the portal, but it's looking more and more like he is entirely comfortable rolling with Vizzina and Denson next fall.