CBS Sports released its 2026 Power 4 quarterback tiers, putting each projected starting signal-caller into various categories.

With Christopher Vizzina currently being Clemson’s projected starter, he landed in the tier of “internal promotions.”

“Patience paid off,” CBS Sports’ David Cobb wrote, describing that tier. “These players did not transfer and are now in line to earn starting jobs after they spent most or all of the 2025 season as reserves.”

Vizzina tops the group of quarterbacks in that tier, which also includes Arkansas’s KJ Jackson, Michigan State’s Alessio Milivojevic, Kansas’s Cole Ballard and Iowa’s Jeremy Hecklinski.

“After sitting behind Cade Klubnik for three seasons, Vizzina gets his crack at the starting job,” Cobb wrote. “A four-star prospect from the Class of 2023, he’s attempted 105 passes in reserve duty over the years.”

The redshirt junior Vizzina is currently still in the “pole position” for Clemson’s starting job in 2026, as head coach Dabo Swinney said after the Tigers’ spring game on March 28, while Swinney deemed true freshman Tait Reynolds the clear No. 2 after Vizzina in the current competition.

Heading into 2026 after his first three years at Clemson from 2023-25, Vizzina has completed 61 percent of his passes for 596 yards and four touchdowns with one interception in 238 career offensive snaps across 14 games (one start), while also rushing for 109 yards and a touchdown on 38 carries.

As for Clemson’s 2026 regular season opponents, Darian Mensah, who transferred from Duke to Miami this offseason, is in the tier of “obvious Heisman candidates.”

Clemson will host Mensah and the Hurricanes on Oct. 3.

“Mensah finished second in the FBS and first among Power Four quarterbacks with 3,973 passing yards last season at Duke,” Cobb wrote. “Now at Miami, he’ll have stud sophomore receiver Malachi Toney in his arsenal as well as fellow Duke transfer Cooper Barkate, who finished second in the ACC behind Toney in receiving yards last season with 1,106.”

Cal’s Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele, who will play against Clemson on Sept. 25 at Cal, is in the tier of “sophomore stars.”

“The retention of Keawe-Sagapolutele amid the coaching transition from Justin Wilcox to Tosh Lupoi marked a huge win for the Bears,” Cobb wrote. “The lefty gunslinger is a rare talent capable of helping the Bears’ new regime get off to a strong start.”

Virginia Tech’s Ethan Grunkemeyer is in “the big reunion” tier as one of the transfer QBs who are following coaches that they previously worked with at another school.

Virginia Tech travels to Clemson on Oct. 24.

“Grunkemeyer took over the starting job at Penn State midway through last season after an injury to Drew Allar,” Cobb wrote. “Following a slow start, he grew into the role and closed the season with four straight wins. Now he is following James Franklin to Virginia Tech.”

Clemson opens the 2026 season against LSU in Baton Rouge on Sept. 5, and new Bayou Bengals QB Sam Leavitt (who transferred from Arizona State) is in the “out of the infirmary” tier as a player returning from a significant injury last season.

“Leavitt is returning from a foot injury that derailed his 2025 season at Arizona State and is also learning a new offense within an overhauled LSU program,” Cobb wrote. “If he returns to his 2024 form, he’ll be a Heisman contender. But after a limited spring, he’ll need to be great immediately. The Tigers open against Clemson and play Ole Miss and Texas A&M before the end of September.”

Syracuse’s Steve Angeli (playing vs. Clemson on Nov. 7) and North Carolina’s Billy Edwards (at Clemson on Sept. 19) are in the same tier as Leavitt.

South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers (at Clemson on Nov. 28) is in the “high ceiling, low floor” tier.

“Sellers is one of college football’s most polarizing players,” Cobb wrote. “Viewed as a preseason Heisman candidate, he underwhelmed in 2025 as the Gamecocks struggled. His talent is clear, and the arrival of offensive coordinator Kendal Briles provides hope that he can reclaim his promising trajectory in 2026.”

Duke’s Walker Eget (vs. Clemson on Nov. 20) is in the “transfer up swings” tier as a QB transferring up from the Group of Six (San Jose State).

Georgia Tech’s Alberto Mendoza (at Clemson on Nov. 14) is in the “opportunity beckons” tier, along with Florida State’s Ashton Daniels (vs. Clemson on Oct. 31).

“After backing up his brother for the national title-winning Indiana team last season, Mendoza is going to spread his wings at Georgia Tech,” Cobb wrote. “The former three-star prospect has big shoes to fill following the departure of three-year starter Haynes King.

“Considering that he’s attempted 721 passes over four seasons at Stanford and Auburn, Daniels is certainly a proven player. But he hasn’t proven to be a needle-mover. Florida State is banking on a late-career surge as head coach Mike Norvell’s future hangs in the balance.”