‘This is my time’: Christopher Vizzina looks ready for his Clemson moment

Christopher Vizzina has waited for this.

Three years of practices. Three years of meetings. Three years of learning, developing and watching someone else occupy the position he came to Clemson hoping to one day make his own.

Now that opportunity is in front of him.

And listening to Vizzina speak Tuesday, Clemson's junior quarterback sounded like someone who believes he's ready for it.

“I mean, I knew that this year, whenever it was going to happen, was when it was going to be my time,” Vizzina said. “So just taking it one day at a time, knowing I need to be my very best for the team and lead them in the right direction.”

There was confidence in that answer.

There was plenty of it throughout Vizzina's time with the media.

But there was something else, too.

Poise.

Vizzina didn't speak like a player consumed by a quarterback competition. He didn't sound defensive about having waited his turn or particularly interested in proving wrong those who might have questioned his decision to remain at Clemson.

He sounded comfortable with where he is and, perhaps more importantly for Clemson, comfortable with who he is.

“This is the time, this is when people want to see the product of three years, and I feel like I've been able to put that on full display,” Vizzina said.

That's a significant statement for a quarterback who has spent most of his Clemson career waiting behind Cade Klubnik.

Vizzina appeared in five games last season, completing 45-of-71 passes for 406 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed 25 times for 41 net yards.

But Vizzina isn't particularly interested in living off what he's already done.

Even when asked about the experience he gained in his lone start last season, he quickly turned the conversation toward what comes next.

“That was a great experience,” Vizzina said. “That's what I was working for. But at the same time, I've got to switch my focus to playing right now. Everybody wants to talk about that one game, and I'm kind of – I moved on from it, to be honest with you.”

That's part of what stood out Tuesday.

Vizzina isn't asking Clemson to hand him anything because he waited.

He knows the job of a quarterback ultimately comes down to what happens when the ball is snapped.

“Tunnel vision mentality, knowing that no one's coming to save you,” Vizzina said when asked about the mentality required to be a starting quarterback. “There's a lot of people that dream to be a quarterback here and be the quarterback here, and it's been my dream.

“There's no one coming to save me; you've got to perform. It's a game of performance.”

That might have been the most revealing answer of the session.

For all the talk about patience, development and loyalty, Vizzina understands none of those things guarantee him Clemson's starting quarterback job.

He has to perform.

And he's competing for that opportunity while also trying to lead.

Vizzina's answer about freshman Tait Reynolds offered another glimpse into the maturity with which he appears to be approaching the competition. Reynolds is competing with Vizzina, but Vizzina said that hasn't stopped him from trying to help the young quarterback — just as Klubnik helped him when he arrived at Clemson.

“I'm there for him, too,” Vizzina said. “A lot of people probably wouldn't say that, but I feel like Cade wanted to help me out. I want to do the same thing for Tait.”

Vizzina could have left Clemson.

He didn't.

He could have viewed the arrival of another talented quarterback as a threat.

Instead, at least publicly, he's talking about helping him.

When asked whether remaining at Clemson has caused people to undervalue him, Vizzina didn't sound particularly bothered by the possibility.

“I don't really care how other people view me,” Vizzina said. “I know there's negativity online. I'm not looking at it or anything. It's just how it is, but I've always wanted to be here. I want people to know that, like, this is the place I want to win at. I'm obviously still standing here.”

Still standing.

Still competing.

Still waiting to officially claim the opportunity he has spent years preparing for.

He knows being patient doesn't entitle him to anything.

But he also isn't hiding from what he believes this opportunity represents.

When Klubnik left, Vizzina said he noticed teammates looking toward him to see how he would respond.

“Cade's not here anymore,” Vizzina said. “And, you know, it's my turn.”

Then came perhaps the strongest declaration of all.

“Honestly, I feel like my whole life, this is what I'm built for, like this opportunity.”

That's confidence.

For a Clemson team looking for its next quarterback, the poise with which Vizzina expressed it Tuesday might be every bit as encouraging.

Vizzina believes this is his time.

Now comes the part he knows matters most.

Showing it.