In a time when quarterback insecurity prompts portal shopping sprees, Clemson did the opposite. No transfer quarterback. No bidding war. No short-term patch. Instead, Clemson doubled down on competition — and patience. Chad Morris and Dabo Swinney let it be known: this quarterback room is talented, deep, and intentionally protected. Bringing in a portal QB would have meant losing two, and Clemson wasn’t willing to sacrifice development at the expense of optics.
CV (Christopher Vizzina) enters spring with what Swinney called “pole position.” Not a guarantee. An opportunity.
Behind him is Chris Denson, whose progress over the past year has earned the staff real confidence. Add in freshmen Tate Reynolds and Brock Bradley — both high-upside, competitive, and physically gifted — and this isn’t a thin room. It’s volatile in the best way.
Reynolds attracted rave reviews in particular. Big. Fast. Elite arm talent. A two-sport athlete who hasn’t been over-coached or over-processed. A quarterback with ceiling rather than polish.
That’s important because Clemson isn’t looking for one-year fixes. Instead, it’s trying to establish continuity — something that the portal often disrupts.
“We want to reward loyalty,” Swinney said.
That isn't a view widely taken throughout the country. But it’s consistent with Clemson’s identity.
The gamble? Development has to win.
If Morris can elevate this room — if competition sharpens rather than fractures — Clemson might have solved its quarterback future without outside help.
If not, there is an outcry.
But Friday indicated one thing: Clemson isn’t guessing. It’s choosing.