After navigating a tumultuous season marked by inconsistency, Clemson has impressively reclaimed its spot among college football’s elite.
By winning the ACC Championship Game against SMU, the Tigers clinched a berth in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, their first playoff appearance since 2020.
Led by head coach Dabo Swinney, Clemson’s return to prominence caps a journey that required perseverance, especially from quarterback Cade Klubnik.
Klubnik, a highly touted recruit, entered the program with lofty expectations as the heir apparent to Clemson greats Deshaun Watson, Trevor Lawrence, and DJ Uiagalelei.
Klubnik immediately showcased his potential by earning MVP honors in the ACC Championship Game as a freshman in 2022.
However, the 2023 season tested Klubnik and the Tigers. Struggles on offense contributed to an underwhelming campaign, with both the quarterback and the team falling short of preseason hopes.
Despite the challenges, Swinney never wavered in his belief in Klubnik, as he explained to ESPN in a recent interview.
“I never had any doubt with Cade,” Swinney said. “If I did, I would’ve gone and taken a big-time portal guy. But I believe in Cade. He’s a worker, he’s gifted, he’s smart. He deserves all the credit because he’s really grown.”
For Klubnik, that faith was a turning point.
“After a season you wouldn’t ever dream of having, to have somebody like that come and tell you he still believes in you and trusts in you, that means a lot,” Klubnik said.
That trust paid dividends. Klubnik delivered one of his strongest performances of the year in Clemson’s decisive ACC Championship victory, completing 24 of 41 passes for 262 yards and four touchdowns to punch the Tigers’ ticket to the CFP.
Clemson’s playoff journey begins tomorrow with a daunting first-round matchup on the road against the mighty Texas Longhorns.
For Clemson to pull off the upset, the defense must capitalize on opportunities to disrupt wounded Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers. (And potentially Arch Manning.)
Known for occasional bouts of inconsistency, Ewers has shown a tendency to make errant throws under pressure. Forcing turnovers will be critical if the Tigers hope to gain an edge.
On offense, Klubnik must maintain his poise and protect the football. His error-free performance against SMU set the standard for what Clemson will need against a Texas defense renowned for its aggressive, ball-hawking secondary.
While the odds may be against them, the Tigers have shown resilience throughout the season. With their sights set on advancing in the CFP, Clemson will look to defy expectations once again on the biggest stage.
You could make the strong argument that Klubnik is one of the most underrated players in the country … Does he have what it takes to lead Clemson to an upset over the Longhorns???
