Clemson is about to see a familiar wrinkle from the other sideline.
After opening the year with a loss to LSU, the Tigers tried a two-quarterback setup of their own, turning to redshirt junior Christopher Vizzina as the initial starter and true freshman Tait Reynolds alongside him. That arrangement didn’t survive long. Vizzina fractured his elbow against Georgia Southern in Week 2, and Reynolds has handled the job ever since.
This weekend, though, Clemson will be the team dealing with a two-quarterback plan. Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key said Thursday the Yellow Jackets plan to use both quarterbacks in Death Valley.
“Yeah, we’ll see both of those guys,” he stated on Thursday. “Not necessarily by series, but how we feel like those guys can get in and execute what they do the best to help give us a chance to win.”
The best-known name in Georgia Tech’s quarterback room is Indiana transfer Alberto Mendoza, the younger brother of 2025 Heisman winner and No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick Fernando Mendoza. As a redshirt freshman last season, Mendoza was mostly used in mop-up duty, but he made the most of those chances. He completed 75% of his passes for 286 yards, five touchdowns and one interception, while also running for 190 yards and a touchdown.
After his brother left, Mendoza entered the transfer portal as a top 50 player at his position and landed with the Yellow Jackets. But the season has not gone smoothly. Over the first seven weeks, the 6-foot-2 dual threat completed 71% of his throws for over 1,500 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions, but he didn’t produce anything on the ground.
His roughest outing came in Week 8 against Boston College, when he threw for under 200 yards and two interceptions. That opened the door for backup redshirt freshman Grady Adamson, who finished the game’s final drive by completing seven of nine passes for 73 yards and a touchdown.
Georgia Tech has continued to alternate between the two since then, though the results haven’t changed much. In blowout losses to Duke and Louisville, the pair combined for just 384 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Even with that uneven stretch, Key said the Yellow Jackets will keep leaning on both quarterbacks as needed, especially with Clemson’s defense looming.
“This is a really good defense we’re going against on the road. It’s a loud stadium.
So, you know, some continuity matters in that regard as well,” Key finished. “But both of them have got things that they do well, and that we can benefit the team with.
So, both of those guys are ready to play and, you know, I would imagine we’d see both of them on Saturday.”
Clemson is back in Death Valley this weekend looking for payback after Georgia Tech upset the Tigers in Atlanta last season. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. on The CW Network.
In Other News...
Clemsons Georgia Tech Loss Exposed A Much Bigger Problem
Clemsons trip to Georgia Tech turned into more than just a frustrating 20-6 loss, because the offense again spent the afternoon searching for answers after Tait Reynolds was injured early and did not return. Christopher Vizzina took over at quarterback, but the Tigers never found the kind of rhythm they needed, and the result was another game without an offensive touchdown.
Nolan Hauser at least gave the Tigers a small bright spot by setting the program record for field goals made in a single season, but even that milestone underscored how much the offense has been leaning on the kicking game. For a team with bigger goals, the concern now is not just one bad outing in Atlanta, but a second straight week without an offensive touchdown and the uncertainty that comes with Reynolds status moving forward. [Read more 🡒]
Clemson Suddenly Has A Bigger QB Concern Than Fans Expected
Clemsons quarterback depth took an immediate hit against Georgia Tech when freshman Tait Reynolds went down with a left knee injury on the opening drive and had to leave the game. Reynolds was later seen wearing a brace on his left leg and did not return, forcing the Tigers to turn to third-string quarterback Trent Pearman much earlier than expected.
Christopher Vizzina, Clemsons usual backup, remains available but is still not fully healthy after a recent ankle sprain, which leaves the Tigers with more uncertainty behind center than they likely anticipated. Dabo Swinney was set to offer an injury update at halftime, and for a team trying to settle its quarterback situation, the next few hours could matter a great deal. [Read more 🡒]
Clemsons QB Situation Just Got More Concerning After Vizzinas Exit
Clemsons quarterback depth took another hit in the loss to Georgia Tech, and Christopher Vizzinas night ended in far more troubling fashion than the ankle sprain he had been managing. The backup still fought through the game, finishing with 133 passing yards, one interception and 18 rushing yards on six carries, but his availability became a concern again late when he absorbed a head and neck injury and had to be taken to the hospital.
Dabo Swinney said the injury was more serious than the ankle issue Vizzina entered the game with, a development that only adds to the uncertainty around Clemsons quarterback room. Swinney also pointed to Vizzinas effort in a tough spot, noting that he kept competing despite having already dealt with multiple injuries, but the bigger question now is how long the Tigers may be without him. [Read more 🡒]