Denson Has Opportunity to Win Clemson's Starting QB Job

Freshman QB impressed in limited action last season and is battling for the starting role this spring.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Clemson freshman quarterback Chris Denson impressed in limited playing time last season, showcasing his dual-threat abilities. Now, Denson is battling Christopher Vizzina and three other QBs for the Tigers' starting job this spring, as head coach Dabo Swinney looks to see if Denson can take the next step in his progression.

Why it matters

Clemson is looking to replace longtime starting QB DJ Uiagalelei, and Denson's performance in limited action last year has him in the mix to potentially win the job. The Tigers have good depth at QB this year, unlike in 2018 when they only had two scholarship QBs on the roster.

The details

Denson entered the Furman game last November as the third-string QB and immediately made an impact, rushing for 106 yards and a TD and throwing a TD pass. Now he's competing with Vizzina and others for the starting job, and Swinney wants to see if Denson can display the precision and timing needed to run the offense with the first-team unit.

  • Denson impressed in the Furman game in November 2025.
  • Clemson will conclude spring drills through the end of March 2026.

The players

Chris Denson

A freshman quarterback from Plant City, Florida who showed dual-threat ability in limited action last season.

Dabo Swinney

Clemson's head football coach who is eager to see if Denson can take the next step in his progression this spring.

Christopher Vizzina

Another quarterback battling Denson for Clemson's starting job this spring.

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What they’re saying

“You just can't be an athlete back there. You just can't be in there running around. His next step...okay now you are with the ones and the twos. It is throwing on time with those types of throws. The precision and all of that for him. He has not really had that opportunity, yet.”

— Dabo Swinney, Head Coach (theclemsoninsider.com)

What’s next

Clemson will conclude spring drills through the end of March 2026, at which point the coaching staff will have a better idea of who will emerge as the starting quarterback.

The takeaway

Denson's impressive debut last season has him firmly in the mix to win Clemson's starting QB job this spring, but he'll need to show he can handle the precision and timing required to run the offense with the first-team unit. The Tigers have good depth at QB this year, unlike in 2018 when they only had two scholarship QBs on the roster.