True Freshman QB ‘Can Be an Absolute Weapon’
Through his first 10 spring practices at Clemson, true freshman quarterback Chris Denson has certainly impressed his offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach, Garrett Riley.
Following Monday’s practice, Riley spoke highly of Denson – an electric dual-threat quarterback from the Sunshine State who enrolled early at Clemson in January.
“Chris, he’s unique. He can be an absolute weapon,” Riley said.
“Everything’s moving quickly for him, and [we’re] throwing a lot at him from a quarterback standpoint. There’s a lot on their plate early. But this thing will slow down for him very, very quickly as he accumulates more reps.”
Riley likened Denson’s personality to that of fellow true freshman Gideon Davidson.
According to Riley, Denson has a poised demeanor and is calm, cool and collected despite his youth and inexperience at the college level, not to mention the fact he plays a position as demanding as quarterback.
“He’s kind of like Gideon a little bit from a personality standpoint,” Riley said of Denson.
“He’s another one that I feel like is not fazed by a lot of stuff. Like, he’s a very calm demeanor, and I like that about him. I don’t think a lot of things are going to affect him, which I think is certainly a good trait for a quarterback.”
True Freshman QB ‘Can Be an Absolute Weapon’
Chris Denson Has Wowed Garrett Riley This Spring
Through his first 10 spring practices at Clemson, true freshman quarterback Chris Denson has certainly impressed his offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach, Garrett Riley.
Following Monday’s practice, Riley spoke highly of Denson – an electric dual-threat quarterback from the Sunshine State who enrolled early at Clemson in January.
“Chris, he’s unique. He can be an absolute weapon,” Riley said.
“Everything’s moving quickly for him, and [we’re] throwing a lot at him from a quarterback standpoint. There’s a lot on their plate early. But this thing will slow down for him very, very quickly as he accumulates more reps.”
Riley likened Denson’s personality to that of fellow true freshman Gideon Davidson.
According to Riley, Denson has a poised demeanor and is calm, cool and collected despite his youth and inexperience at the college level, not to mention the fact he plays a position as demanding as quarterback.
“He’s kind of like Gideon a little bit from a personality standpoint,” Riley said of Denson.
“He’s another one that I feel like is not fazed by a lot of stuff. Like, he’s a very calm demeanor, and I like that about him. I don’t think a lot of things are going to affect him, which I think is certainly a good trait for a quarterback.”
Denson was ranked among the top 25 dual-threat quarterbacks in the country for the 2025 recruiting class by Rivals (No. 14) and ESPN (No. 25).
A two-year starter for Plant City (Fla.) High School, Denson completed 63.6 percent of his career passes for 4,813 yards and 55 touchdowns with just 13 interceptions. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder added 1,940 career rushing yards on 207 carries (9.4-yard average) and collected 16 rushing touchdowns with eight 100-yard rushing games over his career.
As a senior in 2024, Denson completed 142-of-217 passes for 2,334 yards and threw 28 touchdown passes with only three interceptions, while rushing for 1,159 yards and 12 more scores on 113 carries (10.3-yard average).
It’s very early in his Clemson career, but there have already been moments in spring practice where Denson has wowed Riley on the field.
“I’ve been impressed with him,” Riley said. “He’s got a long ways to go, but he makes you go, ‘Wow’ a few times.”
