After enrolling early at Clemson in January, true freshman quarterback Chris Denson has been “getting better and better” behind the scenes this season while running the scout team, according to offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Garrett Riley.

Riley met with the media this week and discussed what he’s seen in practice from Denson, an electric dual-threat quarterback from the Sunshine State.

“He’s definitely a different element for us, and he’s just been coming on and doing a great job,” Riley said. “He’s been on scout team primarily, most of the year. But that’s such a great tool of development for him as a quarterback. So, he’s just been coming on and getting better and better.”

Back in spring practice, Riley described Denson as “unique,” and said the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder can be an “absolute weapon.”

Denson was able to get into Clemson’s most recent game vs. SMU on Oct. 18, as he made his college debut on a 2-yard quarterback keeper in the third quarter.

Riley says the Tigers wanted to have an offensive package for Denson in the SMU game, considering the QB situation, with starter Cade Klubnik out and backup Christopher Vizzina making his first career start.

“Obviously going into this last game with a little uncertainty at quarterback, just wanted to have something ready with [Denson], and felt like we had a little package for him. But never really got to a bunch of it,” Riley said. “Just wanted to have a few things that he could kind of give us a change of pace there and potentially something that SMU wasn’t ready for.”

Denson was ranked among the top 25 dual-threat quarterbacks in the country for the 2025 recruiting class by Rivals (No. 14) and ESPN (No. 25).

A two-year starter for Plant City (Fla.) High School, Denson completed 63.6 percent of his career passes for 4,813 yards and 55 touchdowns with just 13 interceptions. He added 1,940 career rushing yards on 207 carries (9.4-yard average) and collected 16 rushing touchdowns with eight 100-yard rushing games over his career.

As a senior in 2024, Denson completed 142-of-217 passes for 2,334 yards and threw 28 touchdown passes with only three interceptions, while rushing for 1,159 yards and 12 more scores on 113 carries (10.3-yard average).