Clemson’s season has been under a microscope, and Dabo Swinney has taken plenty of heat for it. After the Tigers’ showing against LSU on Labor Day Weekend, the criticism came fast. But with Clemson riding a two-game winning streak, a third straight would quiet some of the noise, and a road win over Cal would do exactly that.
That’s the backdrop for David Hale’s latest ESPN.com column, which asked the question hanging over the program: "Is this Clemson's death rattle? Or is Dabo Swinney still capable of righting the ship?" The answer, at least for now, may be sitting under center in true freshman Tait Reynolds.
In just nine months, Reynolds has gone from a true freshman to Clemson’s starting quarterback. He has only one start so far, but there was growth in that outing against North Carolina, especially as the game went on.
Clemson will be hoping that trend carries over Friday night at Cal and again at home against Miami in two weeks. For Swinney, trusting Reynolds this early is a major sign of where the program is headed.
What makes Reynolds so intriguing is not just his talent, but the way he seems to carry himself. Quarterbacks are often the face of a team’s confidence, and Reynolds already looks like a player who can lift the people around him. His conversation with Christian Bencantur about their Week 3 touchdown pass showed that clearly, with Bencatur refusing to go down at the five-yard line for him.
Clemson has had three true difference-makers at quarterback under Swinney: Tajh Boyd, Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence. Kelly Bryant, DJ Uiagalelei and Cade Klubnik each had their moments, but those first three set the bar for what elite quarterback play looks like in this era of Clemson football. Reynolds has a chance to join that group.
That possibility matters now because the scrutiny around Swinney is only growing. If Clemson slips against Cal and Miami in short order, the criticism will get louder.
But Reynolds gives the Tigers something they have lacked for a while: real hope at quarterback. And that matters more than any talking point.
He will have freshman moments. That part is unavoidable.
But he is already beyond the stage of merely looking like a true freshman every time he steps on the field. If Reynolds keeps moving in the right direction, Clemson may not just be trying to survive this season.
It could be building toward something bigger.
It takes a whole team to win, but sometimes one player changes everything around him. Reynolds has already changed the temperature in the room.
In Other News...
Clemson Just Took A Painful Backfield Hit Fans Feared
Clemsons backfield took an immediate hit Saturday when David Eziomume was carted off with a left leg injury in the first quarter against Cal, a scene that quickly changed the mood around the game. Dabo Swinney said afterward the injury didnt look good and warned it could be season-ending, though the Tigers are still waiting on a formal diagnosis.
For a Clemson offense that has leaned on its depth in the run game, losing Eziomume so early is a tough blow, especially with the season still offering plenty of important work ahead. Eziomume later took to social media to thank people for their support and express optimism about his recovery, but for now the focus is on what the medical outlook will mean for Clemson moving forward. [Read more 🡒]
Clemson Faces A Big Tait Reynolds Test At California
Clemson heads west for an ACC matchup at California looking to build on its win over North Carolina and move to 3-1. The setting changes a little at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, but the bigger shift may be under center, where Tait Reynolds is expected to make his second career start for the Tigers.
Reynolds next step comes with a real test attached, because Californias defense has been tough on opposing passers and has done a good job of limiting clean throws all season. For Clemson, this is the sort of game that can tell you a lot about how comfortable the offense is becoming with its young quarterback, especially in a road environment where every mistake tends to matter a little more. [Read more 🡒]
Clemson Just Got A QB Twist Dabo Swinney Must Navigate
With Clemson headed to Cal, the quarterback picture picked up another layer this week when senior Christopher Vizzina was cleared off the ACC injury report and made available for the game. The timing matters because true freshman Tait Reynolds is still set to get the start, giving the Tigers a young hand at the controls as they head into a difficult road setting.
For Dabo Swinney, Vizzinas return adds a usable option if the offense needs a different look or if the game script changes in a hurry. Reynolds gets the first chance to run the show away from home in just his second career start, but Clemson now at least has some extra insurance at the most important position on the field. [Read more 🡒]