Clemson to start freshman QB Tait Reynolds in Week 3 against North Carolina

Clemson will have a new starting quarterback against North Carolina in Week 3.

Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said Sunday that freshman Tait Reynolds would be the team’s starter against the Tar Heels. Reynolds played most of the Week 2 win over Georgia Southern after starter Christopher Vizzina suffered an elbow injury.

Swinney said that Vizzina would be available in Week 3, however. According to ESPN, Vizzina was considered “week-to-week” after the injury.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney on freshman QB Tait Reynolds: “He’s put some stuff on tape that’s pretty elite, and then he’s put some stuff on tape where you think, ‘OK, he’s a freshman'” He says Reynolds will get all the first-team reps this week heading into Saturday’s UNC game

— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) September 13, 2026

Vizzina started the first two games of the season and ceded time to Reynolds in each. Vizzina was 4-of-7 for 19 yards with a TD and an interception against the Eagles after he was 10-of-16 for 83 yards and an interception in the Tigers’ Week 1 blowout loss to LSU.

Reynolds was 16-of-27 passing for 178 yards against Georgia Southern as he led five scoring drives. However, all five of those drives ended in field goals, as the Tigers were just 2-of-14 on third downs in the thunderstorm-delayed game that ended long after midnight in the Eastern Time Zone.

Swinney named Vizzina the team’s starter well ahead of the season, but made it clear at ACC media days that Reynolds had the opportunity to push for the starting job. Vizzina spent the 2025 season as Cade Klubnik’s backup, while Reynolds was a three-star recruit in the class of 2026 and the No. 40 quarterback in the country according to Rivals.

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p style=”text-align:left”>The Tigers are favored by 3.5 points over the Tar Heels. North Carolina is 2-0 after wins over TCU and East Tennessee State to start the season.