After the 2023 football season, the offseason brings plenty of new changes to every football roster, especially the Clemson Tigers.
However, why don’t we go to, perhaps, one of the most important position groups of them all, which defines a season for a majority of teams: quarterback?
Clemson fans should be expecting the same when it comes to the starting signal caller spot in the 2024 season: Cade Klubnik. In his first complete season as a sophomore, Klubnik had a very solid season. The Austin, Texas, native started all 13 games for the Tigers this season, throwing for 2,844 yards and 19 touchdowns, throwing nine interceptions as well.
With a full season with the keys to the team under his belt, head coach Dabo Swinney, offensive coordinator Garrett Riley and the Clemson fanbase will expect another big step in this offseason for the soon-to-be junior quarterback. Plenty continue to remain high on Klubnik, especially when he helped lead Clemson to five straight wins to end the season. Two of those wins were against Top 25 opponents.
In Klubnik’s final drive of his sophomore season, it allowed for the most optimism for his future as the starting quarterback. Despite trailing against Kentucky, the sophomore put together a 12-play and 68 yard drive to allow running back Phil Mafah to punch in the game-winning touchdown against Kentucky in the Gator Bowl.
All eyes will be on the former five-star dual threat quarterback, who will use his arm and his legs to help Clemson get back to the top of the ACC and college football world.
Now here’s where it gets interesting. Last season’s backup quarterback, Hunter Helms, used his final year of eligibility elsewhere, when he entered the transfer portal and transferred to Rhode Island to be their starting signal caller next season. So, who will be the backup?
All assumptions point to current freshman Christopher Vizzina, who used his lack of gametime to redshirt for another year of eligibility. The Birmingham, Alabama, native playing in nine snaps across two games, Charleston Southern and Georgia Tech, but did not record any stats over those snaps.
Despite the tough task of playing behind Klubnik, Vizzina has incredible talent that will be shown very soon. The No. 10 quarterback from the class of 2023, the four-star talent was recruited for his impressive arm and pocket passing ability. Over the course of his high school career, the freshman standout also showed a great awareness of extending plays with his legs. If, for some reason, Klubnik were not to play in a game due to injury or another factor, the 6-foot-4, 210-pound future star has the talent and tools needed to be a successful quarterback, especially in the future.
It’s only a matter of time when we will CV play more and more snaps as a Tiger.
Behind those two are a duo of quarterbacks, with a chance of another being able to play, who have the potential to have a lot more opportunities to play on Saturdays next season. These two do not have scholarships, but have the ability to earn one due to Clemson’s amount being under the limit. These two are Trent Pearman and Colby Shaw.
Pearman, a redshirt sophomore from Clemson, played in one game across his Clemson career so far: Florida Atlantic this past season. The walk-on has continued to learn under Riley, Klubink and Vizzina as well as having the ability to play games down the line to gain experience, potentially earning himself a scholarship.
Pearman brings a winning mentality to the Clemson squad, not losing a single game as starting quarterback for local Daniel High School and winning two Class 3A titles.
We have seen local high school standouts have huge influences for the Tigers in huge moments, so don’t be surprised if you hear his name more often down the line.
Shaw, another walk-on from Duncan, South Carolina, is the fourth guy on the depth chart and joined the Tigers this past season, redshirting for an extra year of eligibility. Despite interest from Appalachian State, Shaw decided to walk on with his local school, hoping for opportunities in the future.
Now here’s where it gets interesting, because there is one more player who could serve as Clemson’s quarterback this season: Paul Tyson. Tyson will serve as a student-coach for Clemson next season, but does have the ability to suit up for the team if needed. There is a scholarship spot if it does fall to him, but Swinney does have another quarterback with experience if needed.
Tyson, who transferred from Alabama and Arizona State, played in two games for the Tigers this past season, throwing 42 yards and one touchdown against Charleston Southern. Even if he does not play this season and only coaches, Tyson serves as a leader and an experienced guy who will help this young quarterback room grow.
All in all, there is plenty of talent in this Clemson quarterback room. With Klubnik set to take the helm for his second straight season, there is potential behind him, with guys like Christopher Vizzina seeing a lot more snaps in his second season as a Tiger. All eyes will be on this group to succeed as Clemson will hope to earn themselves a spot in this season’s new 12-team playoff, where the chances of playing valuable postseason football just got greater.
