Clemson Football Names Starting Quarterback For Week 1

Despite keeping the choice a mystery throughout the summer, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney announced his starting quarterback ahead of Week 1, as the Tigers begin the year against No. 11 LSU.

It will be redshirt junior Christopher Vizzina to be the starter this weekend, he confirmed on Tuesday morning. Vizzina entered the summer in “pole position” and beat out true freshman Tait Reynolds for the job.

“He’s earned that,” Swinney said. “I think Chad [Morris] and Tajh [Boyd] have done a really good job of navigating the whole process.”

That’s how things have trended for Clemson since the beginning of last week. Swinney said that he met with both Reynolds and Vizzina together to discuss the choice, despite both expected to see series over the course of the 2026 season. However, the Tigers’ head coach goes with experience over talent, and Vizzina sees three seasons sitting behind Cade Klubnik pay off this year.

With the transfer portal being an option that is more open than every, Swinney appreciates his new starter’s maturity, being proud of his commitment.

“He’s just kind of stayed the course,” Swinney said. “He loves Clemson, he loves his teammates and he’s a competitor.”

Reynolds did make a case to be the starter, however, having a strong fall camp that made Swinney believe he could have been the starter for LSU in Week 1. However, some “disasturous days” saw Clemson go with the more steady player.

Swinney does say, however, that “it’s probably likely that he will play,” though. It truly depends on how the game goes. Vizzina has to go make plays to win the game first.

“He's got to go do it. People say, 'What do you need to see?'” he said. “Like, go win some games, go play well."

Vizzina’s only sample size comes from a home loss to SMU back in October, throwing for 317 yards and three touchdowns. Most of that receiving corps also returns to the program from last season, notably junior T.J. Moore, who the quarterback threw two touchdowns to in the loss.

That chemistry will need to be on display for LSU, a contest in an away environment, one that is argued as the loudest venue in college football. Put in a new offensive scheme under Morris, and Clemson will need to be sound with a quarterback who’s been steady throughout both spring and fall camp.

Regardless of who is behind center, Swinney has faith in both quarterbacks to get it done. It will be Vizzina who gets the first nod in Baton Rouge, though.

“We believe in him, and he’s earned the job, and we believe in Tait and what he’s done.”

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