Clemson, of course, enters the 2026 campaign tasked with replacing Cade Klubnik at quarterback after he spent the last three seasons as the Tigers’ starting signal-caller.

ESPN recently forecasted the starting quarterback for each Power 4 team when the 2026 season kicks off – and weighed in on Clemson’s QB situation/competition while predicting Christopher Vizzina to replace Klubnik as the Tigers’ 2026 starter.

Before enrolling at Clemson in January 2023, Vizzina was ranked among the nation’s top prospects in the 2023 recruiting class. The high four-star had more than 30 offers, including from some of the best football programs in the country.

Vizzina will be a redshirt junior next season. Heading into 2026 after his first three years at Clemson from 2023-25, he 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.

Here’s why ESPN believes Vizzina will be Clemson’s starter next fall:

“Coach Dabo Swinney is warming up to the transfer portal but not yet at quarterback, where Clemson once again will turn to a player it recruited and developed. Vizzina came to Clemson at the No. 42 overall player in the 2023 class but has waited three years behind Cade Klubnik to get his opportunity. He showed promise last fall in his first career start against SMU, passing for 317 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Vizzina finished the season with 71 attempts, 406 yards and 4 touchdowns. He has played only 238 career snaps but knows the program and the personnel. The key will be how he connects with new offensive coordinator Chad Morris.”

Along with Vizzina, other quarterbacks on Clemson’s 2026 roster include Chris Denson, who will be a redshirt freshman next season, and former walk-on Trent Pearman, who will be a redshirt senior. Clemson also signed a pair of quarterbacks in its 2026 recruiting class – Tait Reynolds and Brock Bradley.

“Redshirt freshman Chris Denson is back after completing all four of his pass attempts, one for a touchdown, in 2025 after arriving as a three-star recruit from Florida,” ESPN wrote regarding the Tigers’ QB competition. “Clemson also added two 2026 quarterbacks, four-star Tait Reynolds from Arizona and three-star Brock Bradley from Alabama. The Tigers appear to be all-in on Vizzina, even though a transfer with some experience could seemingly help.”

Meanwhile, here’s a look at who ESPN predicts to be the starting quarterback for every other ACC team in 2026:

Boston College: Mason McKenzie

Cal: Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele

Duke: Dan Mahan

Florida State: Ashton Daniels

Georgia Tech: Alberto Mendoza

Louisville: Lincoln Kienholz

Miami: Darian Mensah

North Carolina: Billy Edwards Jr.

NC State: CJ Bailey

Pittsburgh: Mason Heintschel

SMU: Kevin Jennings

Stanford: Davis Warren

Syracuse: Steve Angeli

Virginia: Beau Pribula

Virginia Tech: Ethan Grunkemeyer

Wake Forest: Gio Lopez