Why Clemson QB Christopher Vizzina would have stayed even if QB transferred in

CLEMSON — Clemson football quarterback Christopher Vizzina believed the Tigers didn’t need to add a transfer portal quarterback.

“I wasn’t sure what was going to happen at the time, but I believe that we didn’t need to get one because I believe in myself and the rest of the team and the development we had over the past year,” Vizzina said March 9 after Clemson‘s eighth spring practice.

Coach Dabo Swinney agreed, not pursuing or taking one despite the Tigers coming off a 7-6 record in 2025, the second-worst in his full 17 seasons, and Cade Klubnik‘s eligibility expiring.

Now Clemson will rely on Vizzina, a redshirt junior; graduate student Trent Pearman; redshirt freshman Chris Denson; or freshmen Brock Bradley or Tait Reynolds to be the team’s starter in 2026. The group has one start combined.

“It wasn’t gonna matter either way. If they brought someone in, I was still gonna stay because I care about Clemson,” Vizzina said. “I just want to compete, and I want to be the quarterback for Clemson University. Bottom line.”

Vizzina has already impressed at spring practice but hasn’t been named the starter. He is Clemson’s most experienced quarterback and in the pole position after waiting for three seasons.

In his career, he has played in 14 games, with the one start, which came in 2025 against SMU with Klubnik out. Vizzina has completed 61% of his passes for 596 yards, with four touchdowns and one interception, and has rushed for 109 yards on 38 attempts.

Against SMU, he completed 69% of his passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-24 loss.

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Vizzina said he understood that waiting for three years for his chance to start was a possibility after signing as a 17-year-old in the 2023 class. He said he remained because he loves Clemson and trusts Swinney, not because he wasn’t ready to perform.

“I’m a Clemson man. If I didn’t want to be here, I wouldn’t be here,” Vizzina said.

Where Clemson QB Chris Denson looks to improve in 2026

Of the available options, Denson would be the likeliest candidate to usurp Vizzina.

Denson, a former three-star signee who flipped his verbal commitment from Coastal Carolina, appeared in two games in his freshman season in 2025. He had his best game against Furman, entering in the second half to go 4-for-4 for 22 yards and a touchdown, and he rushed for 108 yards and a score.

“It definitely did boost my confidence a little bit being a true freshman,” he said. “That was something I knew I could do.”

Denson said his next step in his development is becoming a better passer. He has developed physically, weighing close to 200 pounds after being listed at 195 last season. His goal is to be around 205 pounds.

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: Why Christopher Vizzina didn’t want Clemson football to add a transfer QB