AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. -- When Clemson opened spring practice, the Tigers had a big-time dilemma at quarterback. When it ended, they had a big-time dilemma with depth.
Following the dismissal of Chad Kelly, the Tigers needed another quarterback to add into the mix. They found one in Stanford transfer David Olson, a graduate student who is immediately eligible this upcoming season. Cole Stoudt remains the starter, but Olson gives Clemson a fourth scholarship quarterback on the roster and a veteran on the sideline and in meeting rooms.
"He just gives us another quality guy at the position," Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said. "We were going to go into the season with only three guys on scholarship, so it just gives us a fourth guy and not only a fourth guy but a guy who has great experience. He’s been coached for four years at Stanford, backed up [Andrew] Luck a couple years, was a backup last year. He’s been in all the game plan meetings so he’s a very mature guy that will bring good knowledge and good expertise into our quarterback room and just give us another very capable player if we needed it."
The signing does not change the plan for true freshman Deshaun Watson, who enrolled in January and participated in spring practice until he hurt his collarbone. Watson will be ready for fall practice.
"Oh yeah he’s definitely going to play," Swinney said. "No doubt. He was great this spring. He made tremendous strides. He showed that he was every bit as good as we thought he was, just as good as advertised."
