Unexpected Shakeup: Clemson’s Christopher Vizzina Set to Replace Star QB Cade Klubnik—What This Means for the Season

There’s a buzz swirling around Clemson’s camp this weekend that you just can’t ignore. The Tigers are gearing up to face SMU at 3:30 on the ACC Network — but here’s the kicker: we might see a fresh face stepping up behind center for the first time in a long while. Sophomore quarterback Christopher Vizzina appears poised to get his first career starting nod, as Cade Klubnik nurses a stubborn high-ankle sprain that’s casting a long shadow over his usual rock-solid presence. Klubnik’s injury, sustained late in last week’s dominant 41–10 triumph over Boston College, has thrown Clemson’s carefully crafted game plan into uncertainty. Now, Vizzina, who has quietly been honing his skills on the sidelines, could suddenly be thrust into the spotlight, tasked with steering the offense in a pivotal ACC rematch that echoes last season’s title clash. Coach Dabo Swinney’s updates add a tense, minute-by-minute flavor to the saga—nothing’s set in stone yet, but one thing’s for sure: this Saturday could mark a turning point for Clemson’s season and maybe for the young quarterback’s career. LEARN MORE

Clemson may feature a new signal-caller on Saturday afternoon when the Tigers meet SMU at 3:30 p.m. on ACC Network.

Multiple reports indicate that sophomore quarterback Christopher Vizzina is in line to make his first career start as Cade Klubnik continues to recover from a high-ankle sprain.

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Klubnik’s availability will come down to pregame warmups. “He’s questionable, expected to be a game-time decision,” Thamel said on College GameDay. “From what I’ve been told, there’s not much optimism he’ll be able to play. He hurt his ankle late in the Boston College game.”

That injury occurred in the second half of Clemson’s 41–10 victory over the Eagles last week, when Klubnik totaled more than 300 yards of offense before exiting. The junior has started every game for the Tigers since the 2022 Orange Bowl, a streak of 34 consecutive starts that’s now in jeopardy.

Vizzina, a redshirt sophomore who has patiently waited behind Klubnik, has appeared sparingly in relief duty with 48 pass attempts to his name, averaging 4.7 yards per throw with one interception and no touchdowns. Saturday could offer the first real look at Clemson’s potential future under center.

Earlier this week, head coach Dabo Swinney described Klubnik’s recovery as steady but uncertain. “We’ve just been taking our time with him,” Swinney said Wednesday. “He’s gone from day-to-day to hour-to-hour. Hopefully by tomorrow he’ll be minute-to-minute. He’s getting better every hour.”

Klubnik has completed 65.8 percent of his passes this season for 1,530 yards, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions while adding 104 rushing yards and two scores. The Tigers enter the weekend 3–3 overall and 2–2 in conference play.

Saturday’s matchup is a rematch of last season’s ACC title game, which Clemson won before both programs went on to represent the conference in the College Football Playoff.

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