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Clemson Tigers QB Tait Reynolds Still Has One Big Problem
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- Clemson Tigers QB Tait Reynolds Still Has One Big Problem
(USA TODAY Network)
Yes, Clemson Tigers quarterback Tait Reynolds finally played well on Saturday night, accumulating three total touchdowns in the team's win over Florida State.
Reynolds was most impressive with his legs , where he carried the ball 14 times for 85 yards and a score. Seventy-nine of those yards came on one play, where Reynolds punched in his rushing touchdown.
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In fact, the long scamper was the longest rushing score by a quarterback in Clemson history.
But even in the midst of Reynolds' best performance of the season, he still showed some very obvious flaws overall.
The freshman signal-caller completed 18 of his 32 passes for just 189 yards on the evening, and while he did toss a couple of touchdowns, it marked his third straight game with under 200 yards passing.
Sure, some of that is on the play calling, and Clemson's offensive line — which has struggled all season long — has not done him any favors.
Additionally, Reynolds' wide receivers have even let him down at different points of the year, and that includes T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco.
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But at some point, Reynolds needs to take matters into his own hands. He did that with his rushing touchdown in Tallahassee. Now, he needs to do it through the air.
Reynolds has the ability. He has a big arm, and he has great poise. It's just a matter of putting it all together, and we don't know if he is capable of that just yet.
Let's not get ahead of ourselves: the former three-star recruit should absolutely still be on the hot seat. Remember: just days before Clemson's victory over Florida State, Dabo Swinney was hinting that Christopher Vizzina might need to stay ready.
And we have heard squabbling about the Tigers' situation under center all season long.
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One impressive game from Reynolds doesn't change that. It definitely bought him some more time and opened up some eyes, but it didn't suddenly make him the clear cut quarterback of the future at Clemson.
Reynolds needs to do a better job of picking up chunk plays through the air. That's what good quarterbacks do.
The 19-year-old is just a true freshman, so he certainly has time to develop. But he also needs to prove himself over the final four games of the regular season in order to establish himself as the Tigers' obvious choice moving forward.
We'll see if Reynolds delivers at Syracuse next Saturday.
