Chad Morris Explains What Separated Christopher Vizzina in Clemson's QB Battle

Christopher Vizzina didn't have to be perfect to win Clemson's quarterback competition.

What mattered to offensive coordinator Chad Morris was how Vizzina responded when he wasn't.

The day after Dabo Swinney named Vizzina the Tigers' starting quarterback for Saturday night's season opener at LSU, Morris offered more detail on what ultimately separated the junior from freshman Tait Reynolds in a competition that remained tight deep into fall camp.

"This is a young man that went out and won the job," Morris said Wednesday. "And I'm extremely excited for him. I mean, he did everything that he had to do to win the job and battle."

For Morris, the defining trait was consistency.

"Just being the consistent guy every day and showing up every day," Morris said. "Doesn't mean that every day was a great day. Doesn't mean every day was a bad day. I mean, he was consistent."

That consistency showed up most when things didn't go Vizzina's way.

Morris said there were periods during practice when Vizzina wasn't at his best, but the veteran quarterback continually responded by trying to make the next period better.

"I think just his overall ability to watch the last play and get to the next play has been big for him," Morris noted.

It's a trait Clemson will need Saturday night in Baton Rouge.

Vizzina has waited three seasons for this opportunity, but Reynolds made him earn it. Morris said the freshman pushed Vizzina throughout camp and described the competition as a "tremendous battle."

At one point, it looked like Reynolds might be on the verge of taking the job.

"It was nip and tuck, and they were continuing to battle each other," Morris said. "But it was just what you like to see in your starter: when things got tough, he just kept pursuing and kept staying true to who he was."

Morris summed up the approach simply: "Let's just take the easy things and be consistent."

Reynolds didn't make the decision easy.

Morris said the 6-foot-2 freshman has an "incredible arm" and praised the way he competed throughout camp. Swinney has left open the possibility that Reynolds could play against LSU, though he hasn't guaranteed it.

"Tait did a really good job of pushing and making this a battle all the way to the bitter end," Morris said. "As he gains more experience, I think it will only provide him value."

Vizzina already has something Reynolds doesn't: experience playing meaningful snaps at Clemson.

He appeared in five games last season, completing 45 of 71 passes for 406 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. His most extensive opportunity came when Cade Klubnik was unavailable against SMU. Making his first career start, Vizzina threw for 317 yards and three touchdowns.

Now comes a considerably different assignment.

Morris acknowledged that even after an entire offseason and fall camp evaluating Vizzina, there are things Clemson won't learn until the quarterback is facing a live defense again.

Swinney calls it "purple jersey syndrome." Quarterbacks are protected during Clemson's practices. They won't have that luxury in Tiger Stadium.

"Until you get into a situation like that and see how guys can break down and move and extend plays with their feet, those are the unknowns you don't know about," Morris said. "But you go on previous experience with him."

Vizzina's previous experience helped him win the job.

Saturday night, Clemson finds out how that consistency holds up when the purple jersey comes off.