As Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik gears up for his senior season, the buzz surrounding him is louder than ever.
Once a talented but unpolished underclassman, Klubnik now enters 2025 as one of college football’s premier quarterbacks – and perhaps even a frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy.
In addition, there are some talent evaluators who believe he could very well be the top overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Having said that, Klubnik’s rise hasn’t been without setbacks.
Coming off a disappointing 2023 season – both personally and for the team – Klubnik faced growing skepticism.
The Tigers failed to hit their usual benchmark of 10 wins, and Klubnik threw just 19 touchdown passes during an up-and-down sophomore campaign.
As pressure mounted, so did interest from other programs hoping to lure him away via the transfer portal.
Klubnik admitted on the Pure Athlete Podcast that schools did reach out after that tough season.
“So after my sophomore year, sure, I had some teams call up and ask me to come and blah blah blah,” Klubnik revealed. “But I’m like, ‘No, I’m staying here.’”
That decision proved to be a turning point.
Staying the course under head coach Dabo Swinney and offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, Klubnik delivered a stellar junior season in 2024.
He threw for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, showcasing both growth and grit. It was a leap not just in production, but in poise – and it vaulted him into national prominence.
The turnaround wasn’t immediate. Even the start of the 2024 season had its bumps, but Klubnik kept his focus and improved week after week.
By the time the season wrapped, any doubts had been silenced. Klubnik had become the steady hand and confident leader of a revitalized Clemson offense.
His path to stardom hasn’t followed the typical arc.
After flashing potential in the 2022 Orange Bowl, fans anticipated a smooth rise – but 2023 reminded everyone that development often takes time. Klubnik’s response to adversity, however, is what’s defined him.
Now, entering his final year with the Tigers, he’s not just chasing stats – he’s chasing a national title, and potentially a Heisman Trophy.
Clemson’s offense is loaded with talent heading into the 2025 season, giving Klubnik everything he needs to succeed.
But what makes his story even more compelling is the loyalty he’s shown to the Clemson program – a trait that’s become increasingly rare in the era of NIL deals and transfer moves.
It’s safe to assume that Klubnik was most likely offered more money to play elsewhere, but he decided to pull a Drake Maye, and stick with his team.
Klubnik’s commitment to Dabo and Clemson, through the highs and lows, reflects more than just a football decision – it’s a window into his character.
And if his trajectory continues, the quarterback who once faced doubt may soon be holding college football’s most coveted hardware.
Klubik’s admission that other programs tried to poach him from Clemson, even after a somewhat “down” season, highlights just how ruthless these backdoor tactics can be.
In the bigger picture, what are your thoughts on this new world of NIL and the transfer portal???
