Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney touched on the development of freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds during an interview with The ROAR FM on Oct. 14.
Reynolds will make his fourth career start when the Tigers (3-2) play Charleston Southern (3-3) at home on Oct. 17 (noon, ACC Network). The topic of Reynolds' development and growth has been a major talking point ever since Swinney named him the starting quarterback in Week 3.
Reynolds has played in all five of Clemson's games and has thrown for 816 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. He's thrown for 616 yards in his three starts.
Reynolds was lauded as a dual-threat quarterback out of high school, and he was ranked as ESPN's No. 11 dual-threat quarterback recruit in the Class of 2026. However, he hasn't displayed that ability much. Reynolds has 61 rushing yards, having lost 97 due to sacks and tackles for loss.
Swinney said the next step is Reynolds becoming more of a rushing threat.
"I'd say he's too careful running the ball, because he can fly," Swinney said Oct. 14. "He's running a little, because he's had a fumble or two, and so I think ... he's a little tentative."
Reynolds has had a turnover in every game, including three fumbles lost in his last four games. Swinney believes this has contributed to his caution and hesitancy.
"He doesn't want to make a mistake," Swinney said.
Reynolds has echoed that assessment.
"Just trust myself a little bit more," Reynolds told The ROAR FM on Oct. 13. "I think it's getting better and better each week, just letting it rip and not being so cautious."
Swinney wants Reynolds to push the envelope more, intelligently, of course. If he can, Swinney thinks Clemson can unlock a different version of its young quarterback.
"We need his legs to be a difference, because he doesn't run well; he runs elite," Swinney said. "He's got elite speed, and we haven't really seen that yet. We've seen him extend and create and escape, but we really hadn't seen him take a game over with his legs like he can."
Nick Coppola covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA Today Network. Email him at ncoppola@usatodayco.com, follow him on X @Nick_Coppola__ and like his Facebook page at Nick Coppola, Clemson Sports.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Why Dabo Swinney said Clemson QB Tait Reynolds should be showing elite speed but isn't