Dabo Swinney’s Clemson is coming off a disappointing 7-6 finish in 2025, its worst since 2010. There is huge pressure on Swinney to return to elite status, while the battle for the starting quarterback job remains one of the team’s biggest storylines.
Dabo Swinney Shares Update on Clemson’s Quarterback Battle
In an appearance on “Josh Pate’s College Football Show” this week, Swinney provided clarity on Clemson’s quarterback room following spring practices. As Christopher Vizzina is seen as the current leader in the Tigers’ QB room, Swinney had high praise for him.
“From a team standpoint, you know, it’s about our quarterback,” Swinney said. “It’s always about the quarterback. We believe in Vizzina. I think he’s got a chance to be a really good player. He’s only started one game, but he did his part to win it. He threw for 300-something yards, gave us a chance in that game, and got better as the game went on. I like how he responded and how he’s competed. But he’s the most experienced guy we’ve got.”
The outing Swinney referenced came against SMU, when Vizzina passed for 317 yards and 3 touchdowns. He spent last season backing up Cade Klubnik, who finished last season with a 79.2 score in the PFSN College Football QB Impact Metric. Vizzina also impressed during the Tigers’ spring game, completing 10 of 18 throws for 95 yards and 1 touchdown.
Meanwhile, the biggest movement on the depth chart has involved true freshman Tait Reynolds, who played for both squads in the spring game. He completed 7 of 10 passes for 74 yards and added a 1-yard rushing touchdown for the Orange team during the second quarter.
Reynolds has now become a direct challenger to Vizzina, and Swinney had plenty of positive things to say about the freshman quarterback.
Swinney noted that Reynolds separated himself from the pack battling for the backup spot, setting up a competitive summer and fall camp between the two quarterbacks.
“Then we got this kid Tate Reynolds who had a battle of four guys to see who’s going to come out to be the two,” Swinney said. “So that he could go compete with CV, and he dominated that. So now we’ve got this kid Tate Reynolds, who’s a big- time talent, and now we’re coming out with some clarity, and we’ve got two really good players that are going to go compete, and either way we’re going to get better.”
Swinney has continued to say that the quarterback race remains wide open heading into the fall. He explained that if Vizzina is able to hold off Reynolds, it would show that Vizzina has elevated his game to another level. Meanwhile, if Reynolds earns the starting role, it would mean his talent cannot be ignored.
The other quarterbacks currently in Clemson’s room are Chris Denson, Brock Bradley, and Trent Pearman.
Tait Reynolds is the real deal. I saw it up close and wouldn’t be surprised if he wins the job. It’s not matter if? It’s when? The fact is he has a stronger arm and he can run. Let’s not forget he played at High level of baseball as well and could have been drafted in this year MLB Draft. Tait the Kid has speed that can’t be ignored. Tait the Tiger