After a breakout junior year that helped Clemson reclaim its spot in the College Football Playoff, Cade Klubnik is now being recognized as the top returning quarterback in the country.
CBS Sports recently ranked Klubnik No. 1 among all quarterbacks heading into the 2025 season, placing him ahead of highly touted names like Arch Manning. The honor reflects just how far the Clemson signal-caller has come since his early days as a starter.
I was a certified Cade Klubnik skeptic (colloquially known as a hater) heading into 2024, and the first game of the season against Georgia did little to sway me. But then a funny thing happened: the schedule got much easier, and Klubnik performed much better. When I look around, there is no QB who matches Klubnik’s combination of experience, talent, production and situation. Clemson won the ACC last season and likely to do so again in 2025. Should that happen, Klubnik’s name will be in the Heisman conversation all year.
Klubnik played a crucial role in the Tigers’ resurgence in 2024, throwing for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns while adding over 450 yards and seven scores on the ground. His balanced production made him one of only two quarterbacks in the country to surpass both 3,500 passing and 400 rushing yards last season. He also became just the third player in ACC history to win multiple ACC Championship Game MVP awards, guiding Clemson to its first conference title since 2020.
Now entering his fourth year with the program—and his second under offensive coordinator Garrett Riley—Klubnik is leading one of the most experienced Clemson offenses in recent memory. With four returning starters on the offensive line and weapons like Antonio Williams, Beaux Collins, Tyler Brown, and tight end Jake Briningstool back in the fold, the foundation is firmly in place for another big season.
Klubnik’s decision to return for his senior year was never really in doubt, despite evaluating his NFL Draft stock this past offseason. His focus remained on building something special in 2025.
“It was the right decision, and I am looking forward to this year. So, I am excited,” Klubnik said recently.
For more, follow us on X @Clemson_Wire
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
