Clemson QB Chris Denson Battles for Starting Role

The young dual-threat quarterback is working to improve his passing game and add size ahead of the 2026 season.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 9:48pm

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Clemson quarterback Chris Denson, a former standout at Plant City High School in Florida, is competing for the starting job after seeing limited action as a freshman in 2025. Denson has focused on developing his passing skills and adding weight to his frame during the offseason, working closely with new quarterbacks coach Tajh Boyd. Despite the talent in Clemson's quarterback room, Denson sees the competition as a positive that will push everyone to improve.

Why it matters

Clemson's quarterback position is wide open heading into the 2026 season, with several talented players vying for the starting role. Denson's development could be crucial for the Tigers' offensive success, as he brings a unique dual-threat skill set to the table.

The details

Denson made a brief appearance as a freshman in 2025, completing all four of his passes and adding a long rushing touchdown. Now, he's working to sharpen his passing ability while also adding size, going from 190 pounds to nearly 200 pounds. Clemson's new quarterbacks coach, Tajh Boyd, has been instrumental in helping Denson understand the offense and improve his game.

  • In November 2025, Denson made his debut for Clemson, leading a touchdown drive against Furman.
  • Denson is heading into the 2026 season, his second year with the Tigers.

The players

Chris Denson

A former standout at Plant City High School in Florida, Denson is a dual-threat quarterback competing for the starting job at Clemson.

Dabo Swinney

The head coach of the Clemson Tigers, Swinney praised Denson's athleticism and potential after his debut in 2025.

Tajh Boyd

Clemson's new quarterbacks coach, Boyd has been instrumental in helping Denson develop his passing skills and understand the offense.

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What they’re saying

“He is unbelievably explosive. He's still developing as a quarterback. There's still some growth there that's got to happen. But we're seeing lots of improvement in practice physically, and just developmentally, as far as throwing the ball.”

— Dabo Swinney, Head Coach

“Tajh was a big help. Also, (former Clemson quarterback) Cole Stoudt was right there. Everybody was really helping me to get where I wanted to be. I mean, this is a place where everybody is kind of trying to push everybody, and I told them what I wanted and they're helping me get there. But yeah, Tajh is a big help. He just knew what I needed to work on and we hit that on the head.”

— Chris Denson

What’s next

Clemson fans will get their first look at Denson's progress when the Tigers hold their annual Orange and White Spring Game on March 28 at Memorial Stadium.

The takeaway

Denson's development will be crucial for Clemson's offense in 2026, as the Tigers look to replace their starting quarterback from last season. The competition within the quarterback room is pushing Denson to improve his passing skills and physical attributes, which could make him a formidable dual-threat option for the Tigers.