CLEMSON — Chris Vizzina is a rare commodity.

In an era where quarterbacks are so quick to transfer in an effort to seek a quicker path to the field, Vizzina has done just the opposite.

Coming out of high school as a member of the 2023 recruiting class, Vizzina was a big-time quarterback prospect, ranking inside the Top 100 overall at multiple services. The high four-star had more than 30 offers, including from some of the best football programs in the country. He could have chosen to go almost anywhere.

Vizzina ultimately chose and signed with Clemson, all the while knowing that with Cade Klubnik firmly entrenched as the starter, the plan was to redshirt his first season. He then served as Klubnik’s backup as a redshirt freshman last year and will do so again this season.

Barring injury, the earliest Vizzina could take over would be next season, meaning he will have patiently waited his turn for three long seasons. However, instead of doing what so many others in the same situation have done and choosing to transfer out, the former blue-chip talent insists he is right where he belongs.

“This place is very special,” Vizzina said. “I love Clemson just because of Clemson. I obviously like Clemson football — I love Clemson football. But Clemson itself, I have fallen in love with. My family has fallen in love with it. This isn’t a place I want to leave.”

That kind of loyalty isn’t as common as it once was, but it is something that is important to Vizzina. He fully believes committing to a school entails signing up for everything that comes along with that, even if some of those things might be unforeseen.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound signal caller will be the first to admit he’s probably remained in a backup role longer than he’d envisioned. He also believes the sitting, watching and learning will serve him well when his time does eventually come.

“It’s taken a little bit longer than I thought it was going to, but when you sign that paper to go somewhere, you are signing up for a lot,” Vizzina said. “I feel like a lot of people around the country don’t really think about, but when you sign that paper, there are a lot of things that come with it. This is just something that came with it.”

Instead of dwelling on the fact that he will serve as the backup for one more season, Vizzina chooses to take advantage of having a guy he considers one of the best players in the country in front of him. That’s more time to pick Klubnik’s brain and soak up everything he can.

“I could sit here and complain about not playing, or I can look at it from a perspective that I am sitting behind one of the best players in college football,” Vizzina said. “I can learn from him and all the experiences he has had. I have been able to learn a lot from just sitting right behind him and watching what is going on with him.”

Vizzina also knows that he is just one play away from being the guy this season. As cliché as it sounds, that means he has to prepare each week as if he is going to be the starter. Backup or not, there is a growing confidence from coaches and teammates alike that when his number is finally called, Vizzina will be ready to step up and deliver. And the patience he has shown has absolutely factored into his development.

“My teammates have seen it, and the coaches have seen it,” Vizzina said. “They have seen me put in the work over the past couple of years and really develop. The confidence that comes with that, every time I go out there, I feel like everyone has confidence in me.”

Photo by Bart Boatwright