Clemson quarterback Chris Denson has officially transitioned to wide receiver, a move confirmed by the team’s updated roster on Wednesday. Denson had been taking reps at the position throughout the summer and also spent time at running back in new offensive coordinator Chad Morris’ system.
Denson, a Plant City, Florida, native, committed to Clemson after totaling 2,334 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, 1,159 rushing yards, and 12 rushing touchdowns during his senior year of high school. He spent his true freshman year as the third-string quarterback.
During his freshman season, Denson saw limited action, with one snap against SMU before a Week 13 matchup against Furman. In that game, he completed all four of his passes for 22 yards and one touchdown to Logan Brooking. He also rushed six times for 106 yards and a touchdown on 10 snaps and two offensive drives.
Denson stated after the Furman game that patience was not challenging, attributing his journey to divine timing and the guidance of Coach Dabo Swinney. However, his development as a passer reportedly fell behind during the spring, leading him to begin taking reps at wide receiver and running back at the start of the summer.
Coach Morris commented in July that Denson is a hybrid player who is electric with the ball, and the staff was looking for ways to get the ball in his hands. Swinney later indicated at the start of fall camp that he had not yet evaluated Denson specifically as a wide receiver, noting that while his running and change-of-direction abilities were clear, the best position for him was still being determined.
Heading into his sophomore season, Denson joins a competitive wide receiver group. T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco Jr. are currently projected as starters, with Tristan Smith, Tyler Brown, Naeem Burroughs, and Gordon Sellars III competing for the third starting spot. Despite the crowded room, Denson is still expected to see snaps, potentially in the backfield or as an outside receiver, given Morris’s reputation for unique offensive schemes.
