CLEMSON — Clemson football is entering a new quarterback era.
Junior Christopher Vizzina or three-star freshman Tait Reynolds will be the Tigers’ starting quarterback in 2026 after Cade Klubnik commanded the position for three years.
Whoever wins the job will look to help Clemson improve from a 7-6 record in 2025, the second-worst record in coach Dabo Swinney‘s full 17 seasons.
Clemson will be among multiple ACC teams that will have a new starting quarterback in 2026. Here’s where Clemson’s quarterback situation ranks nationally and in the ACC this offseason.
Where Clemson quarterbacks rank in FBS, ACC in 2026
ESPN’s David Hale ranked all 138 FBS quarterback situations ahead of the 2026 season and broke them down in 25 tiers.
He placed Clemson’s QB situation in Tier 12: “What’s behind Door No. 2?” Hale described the tier as “the ultimate combination of the devil you know vs. the one you don’t” as teams in this tier have an unproven veteran and a true freshman with upside but no game reps.
“Clemson fans are already bored with Vizzina, and they’ve seen this story unfold before – in 2014 (Deshaun Watson), 2018 (Trevor Lawrence) and 2022 (Cade Klubnik) – when Dabo Swinney went with the veteran to start, only to make a change somewhere along the way,” Hale wrote.
UNC is in the same tier as Clemson as the Tar Heels will decide between Wisconsin transfer Billy Edwards Jr. and freshman Travis Burgess.
Miami’s Darian Mensah is in Tier 1a, the highest tier. NC State’s CJ Bailey (and backup Will Wilson) and SMU’s Kevin Jennings both are in Tier 4, and Cal’s Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is in Tier 5.
Pitt’s Mason Heintschel and Virginia Tech’s Ethan Grunkemeyer both are in Tier 8, and Georgia Tech‘s Alberto Mendoza and Louisville’s Lincoln Kienholz are in Tier 11.
Where Christopher Vizzina ranks among ACC quarterbacks
Sporting News’ Bill Trocchi ranked the ACC quarterbacks entering 2026 and placed Clemson No. 12.
“Vizzina was a four-star coming out of high school and has waited his turn for three years behind Cade Klubnik,” Trocchi wrote. “He started one game in 2025 and looked good, completing 29 of 42 passes for 317 yards with 3 TDs and no INTs in a 35-24 loss at SMU.
“The offense now belongs to him, and the Tigers will need to improve on its 105th-ranked rushing offense to give Vizzina his best chance.”
Miami was the highest-ranked ACC team with Mensah. Clemson was only ahead of Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Florida State, UNC and Boston College.
Christopher Vizzina, Tait Reynolds stats
Vizzina is Clemson’s most experienced quarterback, sitting behind Klubnik for three seasons. Vizzina has appeared in 14 games with one start. In his first career start against SMU in 2025, he completed 69% of his passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-24 loss.
He entered and exited spring practice as Clemson’s top quarterback, but Reynolds made strides to compete with Vizzina in preseason practice in August. Reynolds beat out redshirt freshman Chris Denson, graduate Trent Pearman and signee Brock Bradley in the spring to be the Tigers’ No. 2 quarterback.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at DCarter@usatodayco.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Where Clemson QB Christopher Vizzina ranks in ACC entering 2026