The most important question inside the Clemson program this offseason isn’t subtle — and it isn’t new.
Who is the quarterback moving forward?
With major roster decisions looming and the transfer portal overflowing with experienced options, the spotlight has turned squarely toward Christopher Vizzina, the redshirt sophomore who appears poised to take the baton in Clemson’s post-Klubnik era.
While the sample size remains limited, Clemson offensive coordinator Garrett Riley offered a revealing look into how the staff is evaluating Vizzina — and why his internal progress may matter more than outside noise.
What the Game Film Shows
Vizzina appeared in five games during the 2025 season and made one start, a performance that still anchors much of the discussion around his readiness.
Against SMU, Vizzina completed 69 percent of his passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns, avoiding turnovers entirely. While the opponent’s defensive metrics provided context, the outing gave Clemson something it needed — real game evidence.
His next extended action came against Furman, where he went 9-of-15 for 52 yards and tossed a touchdown to Christian Bentancur, functioning more as a steady operator than a featured playmaker.
Those snaps alone don’t crown a starter — but they matter.
What the Coaches Value Most
Riley made it clear that Clemson’s evaluation extends far beyond box scores.
“I think the thing that I look at, just being a position coach and the coordinator, is does this guy have the intangibles you want?” Riley said. “Is he improving with the reps we’re getting? Do you see those flashes? Do you see that consistently getting better?”
According to Riley, Vizzina checks those boxes.
Behind the scenes, Clemson believes the SMU start served as a confidence accelerant, giving Vizzina something tangible to build on rather than relying solely on practice reps. The staff views that experience as a critical developmental step — one that can’t be replicated on the scout team.
The Portal Question Still Lingers
The elephant in the room remains unavoidable: should Clemson explore the transfer portal at quarterback?
The answer hasn’t been finalized — and won’t be until the season officially closes — but Riley’s tone suggests Vizzina is being evaluated as more than just a placeholder.
“We’ll certainly evaluate everything as our season finishes here pretty soon,” Riley said. “But I think CV’s done a good job of consistently improving, maturing, and doing what you’d expect a quarterback to do as he goes through a program like Clemson.”
That consistency and maturity may ultimately matter most as Clemson prepares for a massive 2026 opener in Baton Rouge against LSU Tigers.
The Real Answer Is Still Coming
No final decision has been made. And that’s intentional.
Clemson plans to take a full offseason view — bowl practices, evaluations, development, and competition — before declaring a clear starter. But Riley’s comments reveal this much: Vizzina is very much in the race, and the staff sees tangible growth rather than potential alone.
Whether that growth is enough to take the first snap of 2026 remains unanswered.
But the door is open — and Vizzina is standing directly in it.