Road to Week One: Clemson vs. LSU quarterback matchup

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Lane Kiffin vs Dabo Swinney, Tom Allen vs Blake Baker, Sammy Brown vs Whit Weeks. Those are just a few of the head-to-head matchups going into Clemson vs LSU. This is going to be an ongoing series until gameday that breaks down two totally different tactical giants and says which team is better at the position at hand. First, we're kicking off with the quarterbacks.

At quarterback, LSU drew first blood months before either team opened preseason camp.

Lane Kiffin went into the transfer portal and landed Sam Leavitt, one of the most accomplished quarterbacks available. Clemson stayed at home and trusted Christopher Vizzina, who spent three seasons waiting behind Cade Klubnik.

Christopher Vizzina finally got his opportunity last year.

Vizzina arrived at Clemson as a top-50 national prospect and one of only two quarterbacks the Tigers offered in the 2023 recruiting class, alongside Arch Manning.

He spent his first three seasons behind Klubnik, appearing in 14 games but making only one start. Across 105 career attempts, Vizzina has completed 64 passes for 596 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. He has also rushed for 109 yards and a score.

His start at SMU gave the Tigers a glimmer of hope as he completed 29 of 42 attempts for 317 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Clemson lost 35-24, but Vizzina became the first Tigers quarterback since Deshaun Watson to throw at least three touchdowns in his starting debut. Pretty hot stuff.

His strengths showed up all across the board. At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, Vizzina has the frame and arm to attack the entire field. He remained composed and took care of the football when he needed. He's also mobile enough to escape pressure and steal yards when a play breaks down.

One strong start cannot prove he will perform consistently over a full season however. He has never entered a year as Clemson’s starter, managed an offense for several consecutive weeks or played in an environment approaching what awaits him in Baton Rouge.

That uncertainty grew after Clemson’s final scrimmage of camp on Thursday when Coach Swinney said he did not think any of the quarterbacks were good and that nobody won the day. It was one bad practice during what Swinney called Clemson’s worst overall practice of camp, so it should not erase the progress Vizzina made throughout the offseason.

However, it was still a shaky final impression before Clemson turned its full attention toward LSU. Being in the room where it happened myself, Dabo walked in arms crossed, unamused and not happy at all. The only thing I could honestly think was "Maybe Vizzina really is a bust; 7-5 it is." True freshman backup Tait Reynolds was also not impressive on the day

Speaking of, Reynolds has also kept the competition alive longer than expected. He brings more raw athleticism and has rapidly climbed the depth chart, but asking him to make his college debut inside Tiger Stadium would be an enormous gamble. Vizzina remains the safer and far more likely choice.

Sam Leavitt arrives with receipts.

Leavitt’s path to LSU has included considerably more football.

He began his career at Michigan State, appearing in four games as a freshman before transferring to Arizona State where his spark really started to burn.

Leavitt became the Big 12 Freshman of the Year in 2024 after throwing for 2,885 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also rushed for 433 yards and five scores while leading Arizona State to a conference championship and a College Football Playoff appearance.

His 2025 season was interrupted by a foot injury, but he still produced 1,628 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and only three interceptions across seven starts.

Leavitt enters LSU with 4,652 career passing yards, 36 passing touchdowns and another 10 scores on the ground. His teams went 16-4 during his 20 starts at Arizona State.

His greatest strength is his ability to affect the game in several ways. Leavitt can make throws from the pocket, extend plays, and punish defenses with his legs. He has already played in close games, led late drives, and handled the pressure of postseason football.

Leavitt is not perfect by any means, owning a career completion percentage of 61.4, which is productive but not elite. His aggressive style can create inconsistent chaotic stretches like Johnny Manziel, and he also must prove his foot is fully healthy after it ended his 2025 season.

Leavitt is also learning a new system with new teammates. His experience lowers the risk by a ton, but it does not exterminate it.

Clemson does not need another Trevor Lawrence.

Every Clemson quarterback eventually gets measured against the great names Trevor Lawrence and Deshaun Watson. That comes with the job, but it is not what Clemson needs from Vizzina against LSU.

He does not have to walk into Baton Rouge and immediately become the next face of college football. He has to play under control, protect the ball, and prove his performance against SMU was not a one-game flash.

Leavitt is the more accomplished player today. He has won more games, produced more touchdowns, and already handled stages that Vizzina has never experienced.

That gives LSU a 1-0 lead at quarterback and in this series. Right now, it is unfortunately a no-brainer. Experience speaks much louder than one promising start.

Vizzina’s 317-yard performance against SMU could be the beginning of something special, or it could be Clemson’s version of Gotye releasing “Somebody That I Used to Know” and then disappearing completely.

Until Vizzina proves it was more than a one-hit wonder, Leavitt gets the point.

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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Road to Week One: Clemson vs. LSU quarterback matchup

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