Clemson Hires Chad Morris, Signaling QB1 Battle

Analyst Josh Pate weighs in on Clemson's quarterback competition after the departure of star QB Cade Klubnik.

Feb. 17, 2026 at 7:31am

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The Clemson Tigers lost quarterback Cade Klubnik to the NFL draft process after an underwhelming season. Offensive coordinator Garrett Riley was fired, and Chad Morris was hired to replace him. Despite the loss of Klubnik, coach Dabo Swinney did not pursue a transfer quarterback, trusting the prospects on the roster to fight for the QB1 role. Analyst Josh Pate believes Chris Vizzina is the frontrunner to take over as Clemson's starting quarterback.

Why it matters

Clemson's quarterback situation is a key storyline heading into the 2023 season, as the Tigers look to bounce back from a disappointing 7-6 campaign. The hiring of Chad Morris, who previously helped develop star QB Tajh Boyd, suggests Swinney is confident in his current quarterback room and believes an internal competition will yield the best results.

The details

After Klubnik's departure, Swinney opted against dipping into the transfer portal, instead trusting the prospects on the roster to compete for the QB1 role. Analyst Josh Pate believes Chris Vizzina, a highly-touted recruit, is the frontrunner to take over as Clemson's starting quarterback. Vizzina, a 6'4", 210-pound prospect, has "immersed himself in the program" and is ready to "take the reins." Swinney's decision to hire Morris, who previously helped transform Clemson's offense, further signals his confidence in the current quarterback room.

  • Clemson lost quarterback Cade Klubnik to the NFL draft process after the 2022 season.
  • Offensive coordinator Garrett Riley was fired, and Chad Morris was hired as the new offensive coordinator in February 2023.

The players

Dabo Swinney

The head coach of the Clemson Tigers football team.

Chad Morris

The new offensive coordinator for the Clemson Tigers, hired in February 2023.

Chris Vizzina

A highly-touted quarterback prospect who is the frontrunner to take over as Clemson's starting QB1 in 2023.

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What they’re saying

“Chris Vizzina is the guy we talked about several times a few years back. He was a pretty high-profile recruit. He came in, he was No. 155 overall per the On3 ranking. He has immersed himself in the program. He's 6'4, 210 and he's ready to take the reins now.”

— Josh Pate, Analyst

“If you take a quarterback, then you're losing two, and I don't want to lose the guys we got. You can go get in those sweepstakes, but then you probably don't keep some of the guys that we were able to retain.”

— Dabo Swinney, Head Coach

What’s next

The quarterback battle at Clemson will be a key storyline to watch as the Tigers prepare for the 2023 season. Chris Vizzina is the presumptive favorite, but the competition could heat up as spring practices and fall camp unfold.

The takeaway

Clemson's decision to hire Chad Morris and trust its current quarterback room signals the program's confidence in its internal development process. While the Tigers have often turned to the transfer portal in recent years, Swinney is betting on his existing talent to lead the offense in 2023 and beyond.