Clemson’s projected starting quarterback didn’t exactly receive rave reviews from one anonymous ACC staffer.

Christopher Vizzina is the current leader in Clemson’s quarterback battle heading into fall camp, but one ACC personnel staffer didn’t heap glowing praise on the redshirt junior, who has patiently waited for his chance to be the Tigers’ QB1.

“He’s just OK,” that ACC staffer said of Vizzina, via The Athletic. “Obviously, another year and him finally being the guy and getting more reps isn’t gonna hurt him. But he didn’t do anything where I’m like, ‘Oh my, I’m scared of him.’”

That comment came as part of The Athletic’s tier rankings of all 138 projected FBS starting quarterbacks.

Vizzina is ranked No. 53 overall and landed in Tier 4.

“Some of the stars of tomorrow, like inexperienced QBs who coaches believe in but lack a proven resume, and there are also veterans who are looking to redeem themselves and journeymen looking to make the most of their last stops,” The Athletic wrote, describing Tier 4.

Along with Vizzina, other ACC quarterbacks in Tier 4 include Syracuse’s Steve Angeli (ranked No. 44 overall), Virginia Tech’s Ethan Grunkemeyer (No. 45), Virginia’s Beau Pribula (No. 46), Wake Forest’s Gio Lopez (No. 48), Louisville’s Lincoln Kienholz (No. 54) and Duke’s Walker Eget (No. 56).

Vizzina remains in what head coach Dabo Swinney calls the pole position when it comes to Clemson’s quarterback race, and he will still be at the top of the quarterback depth chart when fall camp gets underway. True freshman Tait Reynolds really pushed Vizzina in the spring and has continued to do so through summer workouts, and Reynolds will get his shot during fall camp to push for the starting job.

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.

Heading into 2026 after his first three years at Clemson, 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, while also rushing for 109 yards and a touchdown on 38 carries.

Last season, Vizzina appeared in five games, including one start, and altogether completed 63.4 percent of his passes for 406 yards and four touchdowns with one interception, while also rushing for 41 yards on 25 carries.

He made his first career start vs. SMU at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 18, as Cade Klubnik missed the contest after suffering a sprained ankle in the Tigers’ game at Boston College one week earlier. In the 35-24 loss to SMU, Vizzina completed 29-of-42 passes for 317 yards with three touchdowns and a pass efficiency rating of 156.0. He did not throw an interception, though he fumbled twice and lost one of them.

Vizzina has spent plenty of time as the backup to the three-year starter Klubnik, who is now in the NFL after being drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of April’s draft.

“It’s rare these days to see a quarterback wait three years for a starting opportunity, but Vizzina is poised to get his chance this fall — if he holds off freshman Tait Reynolds,” The Athletic wrote. “Vizzina is inexperienced but looks the part and can move a bit. He’ll be tutored by new-but-familiar OC Chad Morris, who will try to get the Clemson offense back to an elite level.”