Clemson: ACC Staffer Not Convinced on Christopher Vizzina

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Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney admitted that he'd receive heat if the winner of the quarterback battle between Christopher Vizzina and Tait Reynolds underwhelms during the regular season.

Vizzina and Reynolds are set to play under new offensive coordinator Chad Morris. Swinney hopes a new quarterback and offensive coordinator can help turn around a program that went 7-6 last season.

Coaches around the ACC don't appear to know what to expect from Clemson at the quarterback position this year.

An ACC personnel chief told Adam Rittenberg of ESPN that the jury is still out on Vizzina, though the quarterback should benefit from the way the Tigers run their program.

"He's been there for a minute now, and he's done a good job of playing behind Cade and learning from him," the chief said. "They're smart with how they develop their players and I think he has always been talented. But the jury's out on him."

It's a fair assessment. No one knows what Clemson's offense will like under Vizzina. It was a risk for Clemson to not add an elite quarterback in the transfer portal, opting to stay within the program.

Vizzina threw for 406 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception last season in backup duty for Cade Klubnik. It's more likely that Clemson will start Vizzina against LSU in Week 1, going with experience against an SEC opponent.

Still, the pressure will be on the Birmingham, Alabama, native to produce quickly this fall. Reynolds could be subbed in if the offseason can't score.

Swinney likes what Vizzina can bring as a passer and as a leader for the offense.

"He does everything well," Swinney said. "He's really smart, he's a good passer … he's an excellent leader, he moves well. He's not quite as fast as Cade, but he's an athletic, big, strong kid that can finish runs. 

"He's got some savvy and natural instincts in the pocket that I think is just natural to him."

Vizzina will need to show all of that athletic ability against LSU. If he struggles in Week 1, look for ACC coaches to pounce on his weaknesses during the season.

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