Dabo Swinney names Clemson’s starting QB for Week 1 showdown at LSU
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Dabo Swinney has named his starting quarterback for the Week 1 showdown at LSU. Swinney’s Tigers are going with Christopher Vizzina against the Bayou Bengals.
“We’re as far as we can go, and CV has won the job,” Swinney told reporters Tuesday,” but I can’t give him a lifetime contract. You know, he’s got to go do it. People say, what do you need to see? Well, you go win some games. Go play well. I mean, it isn’t complicated. You know, that’s just where you are.”
Vizzina, a Birmingham, Alabama native, is entering his senior season. He was competing with Tait Reynolds, a true freshman from Arizona.
“(Vizzina) had the pole position, and then Tait kind of closed the gap, and then CV kind of separated again,” Swinney said. “But I got to give Tait a ton of credit. This kid is a true freshman walking in here.
“He is really super talented. But you can’t just be talented, and he ain’t going away. I mean, I think he’s going to continue to compete. I’m not going to guarantee that he’s going to play, but I would say it’s probably likely.”
Dabo Swinney on naming Christopher Vizzina Clemson's QB1:
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) September 1, 2026
"We're as far as we can go and CV has won the job. But I can't give him a lifetime contract… People say what do you need to see? Go win some games. Go play well. This isn't complicated." pic.twitter.com/gVitHFlKNS
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Over the past 3 seasons, Vizzina has appeared in 14 games for Clemson, making 1 start. He has completed 64-of-105 passes (61% complete) for 596 yards with 4 touchdowns and 1 interception in 238 career offensive snaps.
Clemson is unranked entering the 2026 season. Swinney’s squad faces No. 11 LSU in Baton Rouge on Saturday. The game has a kickoff time of 7:30 p.m. ET, airing on ABC.
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Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaign of Fred Taylor.
