Dabo Swinney reveals the plan for freshman QB Christopher Vizzina

A new quarterback is taking over for Clemson, with Cade Klubnik inheriting the starting role. Dabo Swinney made a change from DJ Uiagalelei late in the 2022 season, opting to go with Klubnik. There are still other quarterbacks to manage on the roster, mainly true freshman Christopher Vizzina.

Swinney says heading into the 2023 season, the plan for Vizzina is to redshirt. Clemson wants him to be the quarterback of the future, proving so by not taking anyone during the 2024 recruiting cycle. Letting him sit over the next two years while maintaining an extra year of eligibility could win up working out for both parties.

“That’s our plan,” Swinney said. “That’s what we hope to do. We’re super excited about where we are at that position. That’s why we don’t plan to sign a quarterback in this ’24 class. We hope CV can be our ’23 signee and our ’24 signee if you will.

“It really sets us up with a good situation with Cade being a junior and him being a redshirt freshman. Which tells you how we feel about CV. I think we got a great player right there.”

At the time of posting, Clemson has offered just four quarterbacks in the 2024 class. All of them are already committed elsewhere. Swinney is likely to stick true to his word and not look at any other current high school seniors.

Winning out the recruiting battle that was Vizzina is going to be worth two cycles in the eyes of the Clemson staff.

Even with the planned redshirt for Vizzina, he will be able to get playing time this season. According to NCAA rules, the quarterback will be able to play in four games without burning his redshirt. Swinney is hoping everything stays the course and Clemson can fully execute its plan.

“Who knows what’s going to happen,” Swinney said. “It rarely goes according to the script. That’s certainly something we hope to be able to do. Get him some playing time, get him some experience.”

Vizzina played high school football at Birmingham (AL) Briarwood Christian, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 86 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Just as the recruiting industries were high on Vizzina, his head coach is as well. Swinney just wants to let the quarterback take time with his development over the next two years.