Report: Former Alabama QB visits Clemson football

Clemson Football’s quarterback depth behind Cade Krabnik took a hit last week when former starter DJ Wiagalerei and backup Billy Wiles announced plans to transfer.

The Tigers are currently exploring portal options to fill that void.

TigerNet reported that former Alabama and Arizona quarterback Paul Tyson was on campus Wednesday to attend Clemson’s afternoon practice, mostly to see the team’s quarterbacks, and to see offensive attacks. I chatted with player development coach (former Clemson QB) Cole Stout.

Tyson is a 4-Star Recruit of 2019 and the great-grandson of legendary Alabama football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.

A Clemson spokeswoman said she could not confirm reports of Tyson’s Wednesday visit. That’s because we can’t comment on unsigned players (including future high school recruits and transfers), and the early part of Clemson’s Tuesday and Wednesday practices leading up to his Bowl game against Tennessee on Dec. 30. published in the media.

Clemson’s pursuit of Tyson is a logical development for a quarterback-starved program, with only one year remaining in graduate transfer eligibility.

Krabnik relieved Wiagalerei in the ACC championship game against UNC with 328 total offensive yards and two touchdowns. He also starts with his bowl of oranges.

But behind Klubnik, things are darker. With Wiagalerei and Wiles entering the portal, Clemson’s scholarship to his quarterbacks has been reduced to his three this month. Krabnik, top his backup Hunter Johnson, and ex-walk-on his Hunter Helms. The Tigers also have true freshman Trent Pearman on their roster.

That number will drop to two when Johnson, a sixth-year quarterback who started his career at Clemson, moved to Northwestern University, and returned to Clemson in the final offseason, will be disqualified this month.

Even with five-star 2023 quarterback Christopher Vizina signing next week and signing up in early January, there’s a noticeable lack of veteran experience in the sport’s most important positions.

Enter Tyson, who plans to be a Johnson-esque backup. Someone who can provide leadership and emergency spot duties behind Krabnik and possibly Vizina.

Tyson is a four-star recruit who graduated from Hewitt Trussville High School in Trussville, Alabama, with offers from Kentucky, LSU, Notre Dame, and Michigan.

But the legacy quarterback, whose great-great-grandfather Bryant won six national championships with Alabama and is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in college football history, went on to play alongside the Crimson Tide. I was at home.

Buried in the depth chart behind future NFL starters Tua Tagovailoa and Mack Jones, Tyson wore a red shirt while playing one game in 2019 and didn’t take the snap. In 2021, he was the primary backup to Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young and was 10th of 16 with 150 yards in 12 games.

Tyson, the 12th-ranked pro-style quarterback in his class, entered the transfer portal in January 2022, according to 247Sports.

Tyson lost to Florida transfer Emory Jones and sat behind Trenton Brugge when Jones was injured. I have moved.

Tyson, who is listed at 6 feet 5 inches and weighs 230 pounds, used a one-time waiver to obtain immediate eligibility when moving from Alabama to Arizona, but due to the alumni transfer. , and maintain immediate qualifications at the following schools:

This story was originally published December 14, 2022 at 6:12 p.m.