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As Clemson football aims to build on its ACC momentum with a Friday night clash at Cal, the quarterback position remains a focal point due to health concerns. Head coach Dabo Swinney addressed the status of Christopher Vizzina, the team's starting quarterback, who is now listed as probable for the upcoming game.
However, Vizzina will need to outperform true freshman Tait Reynolds, who guided the Tigers to a 22-3 second-half finish in their win over North Carolina. "He's a tough kid, and CV's better," Swinney said on Tuesday. "He's made a lot of progress each day, took some reps yesterday. So, I mean, he's getting better each day, and the biggest thing I said, it's short-term."
If Vizzina is unable to play on Friday, graduate senior Trent Pearman will serve as Reynolds' backup on the West Coast. Pearman has seen limited action during his Clemson career, recording 43 passing yards and an interception, but he brings a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year honor from South Carolina. Swinney expressed confidence in Pearman's ability to step in if needed. "We've got two good players there; I feel really confident with Trent," he said. "I feel really confident with him as far as just, he doesn't have the arm talent as those guys, but he just knows it, he sees it, he understands it. He's going to be on-time, and he can play."
Another true freshman, Brock Bradley, has also seen increased reps over the past two weeks with Vizzina sidelined, ensuring the team has depth if called upon. For Reynolds, however, the development continues. The Queen Creek, Ariz., native threw for 215 yards and a touchdown with an interception last weekend, but making his second collegiate start on the road against a tough Cal team that opened ACC play with a win at Syracuse will be a significant challenge. Swinney acknowledged that growing pains are expected with a freshman quarterback. "We're going to have to grow with him," he said. "I mean, there's going to be some moments where you just take a deep breath, but it's a lot. It's a lot, but he is super talented and he can do some things that are unique and I'm excited about his future."
Reynolds has the support of his teammates, who have witnessed the excitement he generated in wins over Georgia Southern and Charleston Southern. A strong performance in a primetime game could elevate him to national prominence, and Clemson has that opportunity on Friday night. Swinney recalled the early signs of Reynolds' potential. "You play a couple games, and then there were just some things that Tait did, especially with the extended play in the Georgia Southern game of like, 'Okay, there were mistakes, but there were also some things that you were really excited about,'" Swinney said. "And you could see the team kind of the same way."
Kickoff is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. EST, with the game broadcast on ESPN.