Both Athlon Sports and USA Today recently ranked all 17 projected starting quarterbacks in the ACC.

As you know, senior Christopher Vizzina is competing with true freshman Tait Reynolds for Clemson’s starting job, and head coach Dabo Swinney said at the start of fall camp that Vizzina continued to be in the “pole position” to replace three-year starter Cade Klubnik as the Tigers’ new QB1.

Swinney has yet to announce the starter for the season opener at LSU on Sept. 5, but with Vizzina currently projected for the starting role, he landed at No. 8 in USA Today’s ACC QB rankings.

“For better or worse, the Cade Klubnik era at Clemson has come to a close,” Eddie Timanus wrote. “Vizzina was believed to be the heir apparent after backing up Klubnik for three seasons. But true freshman Tait Reynolds, who enrolled early to go through spring drills, might be too good to keep off the field. The Tigers have been winning with defense of late, but there will be times when points are needed.”

As for Athlon’s ACC QB rankings, Vizzina is slightly lower, coming in at No. 10.

“Vizzina has waited his turn as the backup behind Cade Klubnik over the last two seasons but is locked into a tight battle with freshman Tait Reynolds this fall,” Steven Lassan wrote. “Over the last three seasons, Vizzina — a former four-star prospect — has completed 64 of 105 passes for 596 yards and four touchdowns in 14 appearances. The Alabama native started against SMU last season and flashed potential with 317 yards and three scores. Reynolds brings more mobility to the offense and has impressed since arriving on campus. Will Vizzina’s experience win out and help claim the No. 1 spot on the depth chart?”

On3’s Pete Nakos recently predicted the top QB battles in college football, and his confidence level is “high” that Vizzina will win Clemson’s starting job.

“Dabo Swinney has not anointed Christopher Vizzina the Week 1 starter for Clemson’s trip to LSU. But at this point it would come as a surprise if the fourth-year quarterback did not earn the nod,” Nakos wrote. “He led the Tigers on a couple of scoring drives in Saturday’s scrimmage, sources told On3. But he continues to be pushed by true freshman Tait Reynolds, who has flashed his ability to make plays with his legs. Expect Vizzina to start against LSU, but Reynolds will continue to push for playing time into the season.”

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg recently released insider intel on various college football QBs around the country, including Vizzina:

“Vizzina is somewhat of a throwback in that he waited for years behind an established starter in Cade Klubnik, opted not to transfer and could now get his chance to start as a fourth-year player. He has 105 career pass attempts for 596 yards with one start and 238 career snaps. He must beat out promising freshman Tait Reynolds in camp but carries an experience edge that should resonate with coach Dabo Swinney.

“He does everything well,” Swinney told ESPN. “He’s really smart, he’s a good passer … he’s an excellent leader, he moves well. He’s not quite as fast as Cade, but he’s an athletic, big, strong kid that can finish runs. He’s got some savvy and natural instincts in the pocket that I think is just natural to him.”

Swinney added that Vizzina, the No. 42 overall recruit in the 2023 class, was a decorated prospect for a reason. Opposing coaches just haven’t seen much of him yet.

“He’s been there for a minute now, and he’s done a good job of playing behind Cade and learning from him,” an ACC personnel chief said. “They’re smart with how they develop their players and I think he has always been talented. But the jury’s out on him.”