Clemson announces starting quarterback ahead of LSU matchup

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Clemson officially announces starting quarterback ahead of LSU matchup

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Sep 1, 2026 12:10 PM ET

The Clemson Tigers are set to hit the road for one of the marquee matchups of Week 1 against the LSU Tigers.

The offseason talk surrounding Clemson has been regarding its quarterback competition between senior Christopher Vizzina and redshirt freshman Tait Reynolds.

The speculation for quite some time has been that the experienced Vizzina would win the job. That was confirmed Tuesday by head coach Dabo Swinney.

Christopher Vizzina will start in Death Valley on Saturday

Swinney announced on Tuesday that Vizzina will indeed be the starter in Week 1 for Clemson against LSU. Swinney told reporters that Vizzina has earned the opportunity to start.

Vizzina is extremely familiar with Clemson, as he was a four-star recruit in 2023 and had been the backup to Cade Klubnik for the past two seasons. Vizzina started one game in 2025, throwing for 313 yards and three touchdowns against SMU.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney announces that senior QB Christopher Vizzina will start against LSU. "He's earned that," Dabo says. His specific wording was that Vizzina will start over Tait Reynolds "this week"
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) September 1, 2026

It sounds like the QB competition isn't all the way closed

Swinney was very specific in his wording that Vizzina would be starting "this week" insinuating that the QB battle at Clemson hasn't fully and totally been decided yet.

Vizzina certainly won't have a soft landing on the road against LSU, so it will be intriguing to see what kind of leash he has on Saturday if he comes out slow.

Week 2 against Georgia Southern may be a game that features both Vizzina and Reynolds ahead of Clemson's ACC opener in Week 3 against North Carolina.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

More must-reads: