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Clemson: Pete Thamel Says Tait Reynolds is 'Guy For the Future'
Clemson Tigers quarterback Christopher Vizzina came into the offseason as the favorite to win the quarterback battle in training camp after Cade Klubnik entered the 2026 NFL Draft.
Vizzina doesn't have much margin for error in training camp, as freshman Tait Reynolds is challenging him for the starting job with a few weeks to go before Clemson travels to play LSU in Week 1.
Even if Vizzina wins the job in Week 1, he'll have to look over his shoulder this fall with Reynolds waiting for an opportunity. Given the stakes for head coach Dabo Swinney this season, a quarterback change wouldn't be off the table if the Tigers can't score early.
During an episode of ESPN's "College GameDay" this week, Pete Thamel suggested that he doesn't think Clemson is ready to be the clear No. 2 program in the ACC behind Miami this year.
He thinks the uncertainty at quarterback plays into that, but noted there is a lot of hype around Reynolds, and Clemson believes he'll ultimately be the next big thing for the football program.
“It's a tricky one... because the conviction on Clemson provides, is difficult without consensus at quarterback, right?" Thamel said of his prediction for Clemson's season. "Like just because Christopher Vizzina, simply put, has not played enough to be convicted around, and there is talent again at Clemson, but there is not as much talent as there was last year.
"The buzz right now at Clemson is true freshman, Tait Reynolds is the guy for the future. They're talking about him like they talked early on about Tajh Boyd and Deshaun Watson and really, really high-end guys. He's that level of athlete, he's a big baseball player. But I'm not going to go there.”
Swinney acknowledged that he'd be roasted if Reynolds or Vizzina struggled to lead Clemson to playoff contention this year after deciding not to pay for an elite quarterback in the transfer portal.
But it's possible Swinney chose not to so because he believes it would hamper the development of Reynolds, someone who could play the role that Watson and Trevor Lawrence did in getting Clemson to the national championship.
Continue reading...
Clemson Tigers quarterback Christopher Vizzina came into the offseason as the favorite to win the quarterback battle in training camp after Cade Klubnik entered the 2026 NFL Draft.
Vizzina doesn't have much margin for error in training camp, as freshman Tait Reynolds is challenging him for the starting job with a few weeks to go before Clemson travels to play LSU in Week 1.
Even if Vizzina wins the job in Week 1, he'll have to look over his shoulder this fall with Reynolds waiting for an opportunity. Given the stakes for head coach Dabo Swinney this season, a quarterback change wouldn't be off the table if the Tigers can't score early.
During an episode of ESPN's "College GameDay" this week, Pete Thamel suggested that he doesn't think Clemson is ready to be the clear No. 2 program in the ACC behind Miami this year.
He thinks the uncertainty at quarterback plays into that, but noted there is a lot of hype around Reynolds, and Clemson believes he'll ultimately be the next big thing for the football program.
“It's a tricky one... because the conviction on Clemson provides, is difficult without consensus at quarterback, right?" Thamel said of his prediction for Clemson's season. "Like just because Christopher Vizzina, simply put, has not played enough to be convicted around, and there is talent again at Clemson, but there is not as much talent as there was last year.
"The buzz right now at Clemson is true freshman, Tait Reynolds is the guy for the future. They're talking about him like they talked early on about Tajh Boyd and Deshaun Watson and really, really high-end guys. He's that level of athlete, he's a big baseball player. But I'm not going to go there.”
Swinney acknowledged that he'd be roasted if Reynolds or Vizzina struggled to lead Clemson to playoff contention this year after deciding not to pay for an elite quarterback in the transfer portal.
But it's possible Swinney chose not to so because he believes it would hamper the development of Reynolds, someone who could play the role that Watson and Trevor Lawrence did in getting Clemson to the national championship.
Continue reading...
