By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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Chase Brice is now one of the faces of one of the league’s most interesting teams.

The decision of former Clemson quarterback Chase Brice to transfer to Duke is major addition for the Blue Devils and a potential game-changer in the ACC. An immediately-eligible signal caller with two years of eligibility remaining, Brice, who played an important role in the Tigers’ 2018 national championship run, brings impressive credentials to David Cutcliffe and Duke. Formerly the most well-known backup quarterback in the country, Brice is now one of the faces of one of the league’s most interesting teams.

Brice compiled notable production during his Clemson career, completing over 60% of his passes for 1,023 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions, adding 187 yards on the ground and a rushing score. More experienced than a traditional reserve, Brice played in 25 games over the past two years with the Tigers and developed a strong reputation for his work ethic and preparation. He won a national title, three conference championships and, now an alum, was named an ACC Academic Honor Roll member.

What Brice meant to Clemson goes well beyond just the numbers. As a redshirt freshman, with Kelly Bryant redshirting and Trevor Lawrence injured, Brice was suddenly called upon in a tight contest with a Syracuse side that would go on to win ten games. He literally helped save the Tigers’ season. Brice, with Clemson trailing late in the fourth, helped lead a 13-play, 94-yard drive; on a 4th-and-6 near midfield, he calmly found Tee Higgins for a 20-yard gain, then scrambled for 17 yards on the very next snap. Travis Etienne scored the game-winning touchdown four plays later. The undefeated Tigers ultimately won it all.

As Brice leaves Clemson, he does so with hardware and a place in the history books alike. Joining Cutcliffe and Duke, Brice has a chance to create a legacy all his own.

Leading the way is nothing new for Brice, who paced state power Grayson to a AAAAAAA Georgia state championship as a senior in 2016, throwing 33 touchdowns compared to just three interceptions. That team ranked in USA Today’s top ten nationally. A starter for the Rams for four years, he compiled a 40-7 overall record. Brice came to Clemson as one of the top quarterback recruits in the country.

Brice and Cutcliffe, a renowned quarterback guru, will form a relationship based in both potential and production. As Brice settles in, Cutliffe’s perspective will certainly ease the transition. He has directly developed four top six overall NFL Draft picks at quarterback in Heath Shuler, Peyton and Eli Manning and recent Duke star Daniel Jones. Since being in Durham, Cutcliffe has also helped Anthony Boone, Thaddeus Lewis and Sean Renfree reach the professional ranks. Brice appears to be the next-in-line.

At 6’2”, 230 pounds, Brice is set to become one of the centerpieces of a talented Duke team capable of another run in ACC Coastal. His transfer brings more experience and upside to the roster. Back are big-time producers for the Blue Devils, including all but one of the team’s pass-catchers from a year ago. In an unpredictable division where all seven teams have advanced to the ACC Championship Game over the last seven years, an addition like Brice moves the needle — and may shift the standings.

An atypical graduate transfer in a few ways, Brice, as mentioned, is immediately eligible and has two years to play at Duke. He won’t just debut in Durham, but develop as well.

Well-respected throughout the league and more accomplished than some might think, Brice has all of framework to be one of college football’s top quarterbacks. His experiences at Clemson, learning under the likes of Dabo Swinney, Jeff Scott, Tony Elliott and Brandon Streeter and working with Lawrence and Bryant, only helps Brice moving forward. He, even having never started a game at Clemson, was one of the hottest commodities in the transfer portal. Cutcliffe has landed his QB1.

Brice may have a new team and a new role, but his motivation remains the same.