Call it a gamesmanship ploy. Call it a change of heart. Call it what you will. Dabo Swinney's Clemson Tigers are going through some changes in the early stages of fall camp. The most noticeable one so far has been the distinct absence of a depth chart. This includes the starting quarterback position.
After years of having one in place to start fall camp, Swinney explained why there isn't one anymore.
“I don’t have any starters. I’m just going to tell you there ain’t nobody starting,” Swinney said.
He continued by saying his players will have to earn their keep every day, including at quarterback.
“Somebody’s going to run out there today because you got to go practice,” Swinney added. “But we’re going to evaluate them every day, and if you run out there first tomorrow, then that’s because you earned it today. Not because we just think you’re supposed to be the best one.”
Might this be a warning message to Christopher Vizzina?
The quarterback battle between Vizzina and Tait Reynolds could be closer than Swinney expected, too. While he may not be ready to name starters, it does not change the fact that some players are shoo-ins for starting roles, such as Sammy Brown at linebacker and Bryant Wesco Jr. at wide receiver.
Swinney may not admit this, but he could be leaning toward Gideon Davidson over Chris Johnson Jr. at running back. As fall camp goes along, he may have strong leanings one way or another between Reynolds and Vizzina. The question remains how open Swinney will be to discussing those leanings.
Vizzina has been with the program for a few years now. He should be seen as the presumptive starter, but Reynolds has come on strong as a true freshman. Should Matt Luke's sentiment for relentless competition along the offensive line permeate the entire roster, that is fantastic news for the Tigers' program.
But let's be real with ourselves here. Even if Swinney is willing to try new things, old habits die hard, especially his. This is why going back to his old way of doing things could prove costly for the entire team. Simply, his newfound approach to embracing change may, in turn, cost him from making the right quarterback decision.
While this should be Vizzina's job to lose, maybe Reynolds is the one who will be taking it from him?
Christopher Vizzina cannot keep Tait Reynolds off his trail forever
If not having an outright depth chart throws LSU head coach Lane Kiffin off of Clemson's scent in Week 1, then more power to Swinney. To be fair, that is probably not going to happen because Kiffin is too smart a coach to fall for the depth chart shenanigans ploy. Conversely, what Swinney seems to be doing here is sending a consistent message to his entire team: Nothing will be given. Everything must be earned.
This should be music to Reynolds' ears. He was playing high school football only a year ago. Vizzina has been on campus for years, biding his time behind Cade Klubnik. While Vizzina's patience could serve him in this new and exciting role, what if Reynolds is simply better than him? More importantly, how is Swinney going to handle that?
What has hurt the Clemson program more than anything in the last half-decade has been substandard quarterback play. DJ Uiagalelei did not take the baton from Trevor Lawrence seamlessly. Klubnik was essentially a Linkin Park song at Clemson. He tried so hard and got so far, but in the end, it didn't even matter.
For as long as Swinney says there is an open competition for every job at Clemson, that opens the door for Reynolds. He can crush Vizzina's spirit and ruin his dreams of being the heir apparent under center at Clemson.
In short, if this quarterback battle is close, then the best solution for Clemson is to roll with Reynolds.
Swinney may be giving off the impression that this is truly untrodden territory for him. However, we have seen him quickly pull a few upperclassmen from the starting quarterback job in favor of a freshman phenom.
Cole Stoudt quickly gave way to Deshaun Watson in 2014, while Trevor Lawrence quickly took the reins from Kelly Bryant in 2018. This came after Bryant balled out during the 2017 season, one in which he led Clemson to the College Football Playoff!
Overall, Clemson can elevate its floor as a program by fully embracing competition. However, making the right choice at quarterback will determine its ceiling for this season.
Truth be told, we will know right away if Vizzina has it or not. If he does, then that is amazing. If not, then Swinney should have the confidence to quickly pivot to Reynolds. Swinney did so before with Watson and Lawrence over Stoudt and Bryant, respectively. He could do it again with Reynolds over Vizzina.
Above all else, Swinney must recognize that not having a depth chart could serve as a double-edged sword for his Clemson program. New leaders may be forged out of intense competition, but it could also tear away at the fabric of what makes Clemson ... Clemson.
In the event that Reynolds is truly better than Vizzina, then Swinney has to go with the freshman.
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