Dabo Swinney took to the podium for his media availability on Tuesday to discuss a variety of topics, namely the budding quarterback battle and some unknowns on defense as Clemson football prepares to begin what it hopes is a redemption season in Death Valley.
Christopher Vizzina, the presumed starting signal caller entering the season, has the slight edge. However, freshman Tait Reynolds, who has received rave reviews through the spring, is mounting a strong challenge to the rising junior Vizzina.
“I just wanna see them better,” explained Swinney. “I wanna see them more confident. I wanna see them ready to take the next step from where they were in the spring, in command of- we don’t have time; that was my big thing. We don’t have time to get into camp and have to worry about which side the back’s on and where the motion point is and cadence, and we ain’t got time for that.”
Dabo Swinney
Vizzina showed flashes last year when he was forced into action following injury to departed starter Cade Klubnik. Christopher showed off a big arm, particularly in a home game against SMU, despite a close loss. He seemed to have a particularly strong connection with receiver T.J. Moore.
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While Vizzina is still in the lead for the starting spot, Swinney added that Reynolds is in a good spot and is the clear number two quarterback on the depth chart at this point.
“He’s full go,” he said. “He’s been, we limited him in the spring, but yeah, he’s done everything. I mean, he’s run every hill, run every sprint, 40s, he’s done everything.”
Additionally, Swinney feels good about all the quarterbacks on the roster, with depth being a key asset for the Tigers entering the season.
“I mean, we think we’ve got four pretty functional guys at the position,” he added. “That has not always been the case. I’ve said that many times. You go back to our national championship in 2018; we had Trevor, Chase, and Bryce, and that was it. Your third teamer was Hunter Renfrow. Your fourth teamer was Will Spires, the punter. So, if you look around in today’s college football, I think we’re young, and we’re unproven. But I think we’ve got very competitive, talented guys in the room who are gonna get better.”
Dabo Swinney
Coach Swinney also spoke about uncertainties on defense as Clemson football enters its second campaign under defensive coordinator Tom Allen. Particularly, defensive tackle is a position where Swinney wants to see players step up and take the reigns.
“I’d say (defensive tackle) is a big unknown. A huge unknown,” admitted Swinney. “Those guys have a lot to prove. Every one of them.”
Dabo Swinney
Coach Swinney also added he is thrilled that wide receiver Tristan Smith was granted a final year of eligibility. The massive 6-foot-5-inch transfer was, at times, underused last season. Dabo noted that had Smith not been granted a final year, he would have stayed with the Tigers as a graduate assistant. Now that he can play, Swinney is thrilled to have him back on the field to join a loaded wide receiver room.
“We were going to develop him,” Swinney said. “But this is just a game-changer for him to be able to put some good play on tape. Really happy for him. It certainly doesn’t hurt the receiver room. That’s for sure.”
Dabo Swinney
Swinney and the Tigers are less than three weeks away from the start of fall practice, and with ACC Media Day taking place next week in Charlotte, Clemson football should be well represented as they hope to rebound from a disappointing 7-6 season a year ago.
