The Clemson Tigers‘ 2026 college football season hasn’t gone well, and now the team is making a wise choice.

Clemson named redshirt junior Christopher Vizzina as its starting quarterback to begin the year. He’s been with the Tigers since 2023 when he redshirted, and has since served the last three years as a backup.

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After years as the backup, Vizzina got his chance to start, but he struggled to produce much offense for Clemson. The Tigers were blown out 51-10 by the LSU Tigers in Week 1 and then scored just 22 points against Georgia Southern.

Vizzinia did get injured in the game, but head coach Dabo Swinney said he is healthy enough to play in Week 3 against the North Carolina Tar Heels. However, Clemson will start freshman Tait Reynolds at quarterback.

Reynolds was a three-star recruit in the Class of 2026. Although he wasn’t a top-ranked recruit, it is a wise decision by Swinney to turn to him.

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The Tigers still have a chance to reach the College Football Playoff by winning the ACC, and Clemson can no longer afford to use Vizzina as it showed he can’t lead a good offense.

Clemson begins its ACC play against North Carolina, which is a pivotal game. If the Tigers are going to have success in the ACC, it begins against the Tar Heels.

Reynolds is completing 60.6% of his throws, averaging 6.1 yards per attempt, and has not thrown a touchdown.

Although Swinney named Reynolds the starter, he said he still believes in Vizzinia, and the quarterback decision will be evaluated.

Dabo Swinney Explains QB Decision

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reacts to a Tigers offensive line holding playing Georgia Southern University during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium Saturday, September 12, 2026.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reacts to a Tigers offensive line holding playing Georgia Southern University during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium Saturday, September 12, 2026.

Ahead of Clemson’s Week 3 against North Carolina, Swinney named Reynolds the starter.

Swinney felt like Reynolds’ play deserved to start, and Vizzinia’s injury didn’t factor into the decision.

“We do feel like he’s earned the opportunity to start this week, and so he will go in as the starter,” Swinney said. “And just build on the good things he did and correct some of the very correctable mistakes that I think, as he plays, he will correct. … Just feel like based on opportunity and mistakes, and just body of work, that Tait has earned the opportunity to start.”

How different the Tigers offense will look with Reynolds at quarterback, if at all, is to be seen. But, even before Clemson made this decision, North Carolina was already preparing for both quarterbacks to play.

“I think in a way, they’re both similar,” Belichick said Sept. 14. “I don’t think the offense is going to change too dramatically with either player.”

However, Belichick did have high praise for Reynolds.

“He’s very athletic, hard guy to tackle, has a really good arm and can make all the throws,” Belichick added.

Clemson is a 3.5-point favorite at home against North Carolina on Saturday, Sept. 19, with kickoff set for noon ET.

Related: Dabo Swinney Only Has Himself To Blame For Clemson’s Struggles

This story was originally published by Lindys Sports on Sep 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Lindys Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Source: Yahoo Sports