Clemson’s quarterback race is still wide open, and the conversation around it is already spilling into the lead-up to fall camp.
With the Tigers headed to Baton Rouge for a Sept. 5 season opener against Louisiana State University, ESPN and ACC Network analyst EJ Manuel said on the Gramlich and Mac Lain podcast that he wouldn’t rule out both redshirt sophomore Christopher Vizzina and true freshman Tait Reynolds seeing the field. Manuel said Vizzina appears to have the edge entering camp, but Reynolds has enough talent to force the issue quickly.
"Normally I would say, heck no, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Tait Reynolds at least gets his feet wet and gets some run," Manuel said. "I don’t know if it’s a package…I’m not saying go out there and be rolling with the offense. Now, if Vizzina is stinking it up, if he’s the starter and not playing well, as a head coach, you’ve got to do what you have to do."
Manuel also pointed to Dabo Swinney’s approach as a reason the picture could sharpen in camp rather than linger into the season. "He’s going to give you an opportunity, but you’ve got to go out there and play well."
Eric Mac Lain, a former Clemson offensive lineman, drew a comparison to the 2014 opener against the University of Georgia, when true freshman Deshaun Watson entered in the third offensive series and threw a touchdown to Charone Peake after Cole Stoudt was listed as the starter. Still, Mac Lain was careful not to push the analogy too far.
"This is not a Cole Stoudt/Deshaun Watson situation. Not yet, at least.
Not that I know of," Mac Lain said. "I don’t think Tait is quite what Deshaun was coming in."
For Mac Lain, the next few weeks will matter more than any preseason guesswork. He said the staff will have to sort out whether both quarterbacks truly play or whether one separates himself once camp gets rolling.
"We’ll see how they handle it. We’ll see if two guys truly play, or if one can separate when we get into fall camp."
The mix changes again with Chad Morris back as Clemson’s offensive coordinator. Because Morris did not recruit or coach either quarterback before, Mac Lain said he comes in without any built-in lean toward Vizzina or Reynolds.
"They’ve got a new coordinator. And Chad Morris doesn’t know jack about either of them," Mac Lain said. "He’s live-evaluating every single day who’s going to be that guy."
Manuel said his own conversations with Swinney this offseason suggested the staff feels good about both quarterbacks. He praised Vizzina for staying committed while waiting for his chance, and said Swinney seemed especially energized when talking about Reynolds.
"Coach Swinney’s eyebrows kinda raised when he started talking about Tait Reynolds," Manuel said.
Even so, Manuel said Vizzina’s time in the program gives him a real advantage heading into a tough road test at LSU.
"I have seen Chris Vizzina play, and I do think, if he is the starter - I think he can hold that position, and I do think Clemson is going to win a lot of games with Vizzina for sure," Manuel said.
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