Clemson football moves QB to new role on offense. What we know
.jpg "Clemson quarterback Chris Denson (15) during 2026 spring practice")
A Clemson quarterback and fan favorite is changing positions.
Tigers quarterback Chris Denson will move to a wide receiver-running back hybrid role for the 2026 season, offensive coordinator Chad Morris says. He is still taking some QB reps.
“We’re trying to find a spot for him,” Morris told reporters Tuesday at Clemson’s on-campus media day.
Denson, a redshirt freshman and left-handed QB listed at 6-2 and 195 pounds, was a late add to Dabo Swinney’s 2025 recruiting class out of Florida after flipping his commitment from Coastal Carolina to Clemson.
Although he was considered a bit of a project as a passer, Denson’s athleticism was apparent during his true freshman season with the Tigers.
He stole the show late in Clemson’s 2025 home finale vs. FCS Furman in November, going 4-4 for 22 yards and a touchdown and rushing seven times for 108 yards and another touchdown on the team’s last two drives of the game.
Denson became the first Clemson quarterback to record 100-plus rushing yards in a game since Trevor Lawrence in 2019, and his 17.7 yards per carry against the Furman were the highest by a Clemson QB with five-plus attempts since 1947.
Clemson also thought enough of Denson’s dual-threat ability to create a special offensive package for him leading into an October game vs. SMU that then-starting QB Cade Klubnik missed with an ankle injury. (Denson took one snap in that game, carrying the ball once for 2 yards on a QB keeper.)
Denson’s speed generated notable buzz among the Clemson fan base late in the year and had followers excited about his potential role on the 2026 team.
What Chris Denson’s position change means for Clemson
Denson’s move from quarterback to a hybrid role between receiver and tailback is a notable one. It indicates that Clemson might not see him as a viable long-term option at QB — and, perhaps even more notably, indicates a lot of confidence in true freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds.
Entering the spring, Swinney said fourth-year quarterback Christopher Vizzina would have the “pole position” as Clemson’s starting quarterback in 2026 but Denson and Reynolds would also compete behind him.
Reynolds has drawn rave reviews in spring practice so far. Denson’s move to a hybrid position shows Clemson is comfortable moving forward with Reynolds as its No. 2 quarterback behind Vizzina, who’s expected to begin the 2026 season as QB1.
Denson spoke to the media March 9 and said everyone in Clemson’s quarterback room was “fighting for the starting job” under the Tigers’ new offensive coordinator.
“I feel like I need to improve as a passer,” Denson said. “But I’ve been stacking day by day, getting there.”
