Clemson has a strong track record of elite quarterbacks under Dabo Swinney, with players like Tajh Boyd, Deshaun Watson, and Trevor Lawrence all excelling during their time with the Tigers. Now, Cade Klubnik is next in line.
He enters the 2025 season with preseason Heisman buzz and is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. At ACC Media Days, Swinney addressed the growing excitement around his starting quarterback.
Clemson HC Dabo Swinney Backs QB Cade Klubnik Amid Rising Heisman Expectations
Cade Klubnik is entering his senior year at Clemson and has been the program’s starting quarterback for the past two seasons. His sophomore campaign in 2023 got off to a rocky start, as he threw for 2,844 yards, 19 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
Klubnik took a significant step forward in 2024, leading Clemson to an ACC Championship and a College Football Playoff appearance. He improved significantly, finishing the season with 3,639 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and just six interceptions.
Think I’m rolling with this touchdown to Tyler Brown as Cade Klubnik’s best throw of the year. Nice play design as Ennis draws in the safety, opening the seam, and Cade recognizes it. Great ball even with the DT somehow going nearly unblocked. pic.twitter.com/VTyP3cnOZK
— DOC (@DearOldClemson) January 19, 2024
During an interview with SportsCenter at ACC Media Days, Dabo Swinney highlighted his quarterback’s growth throughout his Clemson career.
“I think he’s a guy that’s gotten better every year,” Swinney said.
The excitement surrounding Cade Klubnik’s senior season is at its peak. According to DraftKings, the Clemson quarterback has the third-shortest Heisman Trophy odds at +950, trailing only LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and Texas’s Arch Manning.
While Swinney didn’t directly address Klubnik’s ability to win the Heisman, he did praise his QB1, explaining that Clemson can win the ACC with him under center.
“I don’t have any doubt that he has the ability to lead us every week to be the best that we can be, and to compete for our league,” Swinney said.
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With high expectations comes added pressure, and Klubnik will need to live up to his coach’s praise for Clemson to have a real shot at a national title next season.
This year’s roster is the strongest Swinney has had since the Tigers last reached the College Football Playoff in the 2020–2021 season. If Klubnik performs at the level he’s expected to, Clemson could be a serious contender to win it all.
Klubnik, Swinney, and the Tigers open the season on August 30 against LSU. They also have dates with Syracuse, North Carolina, SMU, Duke, Florida State, Louisville, and in-state rival South Carolina.
Swinney avoided adding to the media’s expectations for his quarterback during the interview, but it’s clear he has strong confidence in Klubnik’s ability to lead Clemson back to national prominence.
