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Possible Dabo Swinney Clemson quarterback transfer portal targets, including DJ Lagway
- Story by
- Possible Dabo Swinney Clemson quarterback transfer portal targets, including DJ Lagway
CLEMSON — A potential transfer portal need for Clemson football is quarterback.
Cade Klubnik will be gone in 2026 after being Clemson 's starter for three seasons. Behind him is a wealth of inexperience in Christopher Vizzina (one start in three years), Chris Denson (zero in one year) and former walk-on Trent Pearman (zero in three years). Clemson also signed two quarterbacks in the 2026 class, Brock Bradley and Tait Reynolds.
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The portal doesn't open until Jan. 2, but there are numerous quarterbacks who have announced they will enter, can come to Clemson and compete for the starting job. An intriguing option is Florida 's DJ Lagway , a former five-star recruit who had Clemson as a finalist in the 2024 cycle.
He had a rough year, throwing an SEC-high 14 interceptions en route to the Gators having a 4-8 record, but a change of scenery with a familiar program and staff could be what Lagway needs. He has a two years of eligibility remaining.
Another option is Cincinnati transfer Brendan Sorsby . He played four seasons (two with Indiana ; two with the Bearcats), throwing for over 7,000 yards with 60 touchdowns and 18 interceptions and rushing for over 1,200 yards. He has one year of eligibility remaining but could be an instant-impact addition to propel Clemson's offense.
If Clemson misses out on those players, Swinney could pursue other candidates, including Old Dominion's Colton Joseph , Central Florida 's Tayven Jackson , App State's AJ Swann and Michigan 's Jadyn Davis
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A longshot option is Nebraska transfer Dylan Raiola , who spent two seasons with the Cornhuskers .
Since 2021, Clemson has taken two portal quarterbacks: Hunter Johnson (2022) and Paul Tyson (2023), but neither made a start with the Tigers. That could change next year as the Tigers need someone to lead their offense after a disappointing 2025.
Clemson is coming off its second-worst season in Dabo Swinney's full 17 seasons after missing the College Football Playoff for the fourth time in five seasons and not making the ACC title game after being preseason favorites.
A key reason was the regression of Clemson's offense as the unit averaged 28.7 points (61st in FBS) despite having Klubnik, talented skill-position players and an experienced offensive line. Last season, the Tigers averaged 34.7 points (18th).
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The Tigers' offensive line will look different next season, but Clemson will still have talented skill-position players in running back Gideon Davidson , wide receivers Bryant Wesco Jr. , T.J. Moore and signee Naeem Burroughs and tight ends Olsen Patt-Henry and Christian Bentancur.
Will Christopher Vizzina be Clemson quarterback in 2026?
If Clemson adds a transfer quarterback, his main competition will likely be Vizzina. He entered 2025 as the team's likely successor at quarterback but had uneven performances in five games and one start this season.
He played in blowouts in his first three games, completing 50% of his passes for 37 yards and one interception and rushing for 21 yards on seven carries vs. Troy, North Carolina and Boston College .
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With Klubnik out with an injury against SMU, Vizzina blossomed in his first career start, completing 69% of his passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns after a shaky first half. Then, the offense sputtered with him against Furman as he was 9-for-15 passing for 52 yards and one touchdown.
Vizzina's next opportunity to build a case to be Clemson's starter could be in the Pinstripe Bowl when the Tigers (7-5) face Penn State (6-6) on Dec. 27 (noon ET, ABC) at Yankee Stadium in New York. Klubnik will play in the game, but it is unknown if Swinney will play depth quarterbacks to get them reps.
"We're just going to go win the game. That's all we're going to do," Swinney said Dec. 15. "Just trying to get an eighth win."
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Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at DCarter@usatodayco.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football QB targets could include DJ Lagway, Brendan Sorsby
