The conversation around Clemson’s quarterback spot got wild after Cade Klubnik left, but ESPN analyst Greg McElroy is dropping truth bombs: Christopher Vizzina is the clear favorite heading into preseason camp, even with freshman Tait Reynolds turning heads. It’s not exactly an open competition, at least not in McElroy’s eyes, and he thinks the veteran’s experience gives him a massive edge.
Dabo’s Monarchy Rolls On (For Now)
McElroy, speaking on *Always College Football*, pointed to a long-standing trend under Dabo Swinney. Clemson rarely has these wide-open QB battles. Instead, they run a straight-up succession plan, almost like a monarchy! Klubnik was the guy for three years, and before him, it was DJ Uiagalelei. Before that, you had Trevor Lawrence, then Deshaun Watson, and even Kelly Bryant in the mix. It’s been a minute since they truly had a big-time quarterback competition. McElroy expects the Tigers to stick with Vizzina, the guy who’s been developing behind Klubnik for years. He’s entering his fourth season, with 14 career games under his belt. He’s completed 61 percent of his passes for 596 yards with four touchdowns and just one pick, plus a rushing score. His biggest moment was last season against SMU, when he stepped in for an injured Klubnik and lit it up with 317 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start. McElroy says, “the job is Vizzina’s to lose,” and that he’s a “fourth-year guy with one career start” who “sat and waited behind Klubnik.” He’s waited his “entire career for this,” and on tape, “you can kind of see a quarterback who knows exactly where the ball is supposed to go.” The only real question? “Whether he can rip it there against people who are trying to get after him.”
Tait Reynolds Isn’t Afraid to Shake Things Up
But don’t sleep on Tait Reynolds. This freshman has quickly become one of the most intriguing young players on the roster. The Arizona native enrolled early, and man, did he turn heads during spring practice! He had a decorated high school career, piling up over 3,600 total yards and 41 touchdowns as a junior, even though a hamstring injury limited his senior season. McElroy firmly believes Reynolds has already done enough to separate himself from the rest of the backup QBs. It’s just that Vizzina is still “best positioned to lead the offense this fall.” What’s really cool about Reynolds, according to McElroy, is that he was a three-star recruit. No five-star hype, no crazy NIL bidding war, no recruiting industrial complex. Just a “big, dual-sport athlete that showed up and started making it a bit of a conversation.”
So when practice kicks off, all eyes are on Vizzina. Can he cement that starting spot and prove he can “rip it” when defenses are coming after him? Reynolds isn’t going anywhere, though. This isn’t just a battle for QB1, it’s about the future of Clemson football, and it’s gonna be a wild ride.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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