Back in 2023 the Texas native, Cade Klubnik finished with a meager 63.4% pass completion rate at an average of 7.5 yards per attempt. Written off as just another over-hyped five-star struggling to live up to Clemson Tigers’ storied QB lineage with pedestrian numbers, surely, there would be a time when even his HC Dabo Swinney must’ve asked, ‘Is that all you can do, Cade?’. Cometh 2024, the 6’2” passer rose from ashes like a phoenix with numbers enough to put him in the Heisman conversation of 36 TDs and 3,639 Yds. The transformation wasn’t just about numbers. It was about command. And now, Clemson isn’t just in the ACC conversation. They’re in the national title hunt.

The same voices that once doubted him are now circling back, realizing they might have misread the story. Dabo Swinney, the man who has seen Cade Klubnik through both the highs and lows, kept it 100 as to why Klubnik stands out, be it new-comers or veterans. T.J. Moore was going to get here till the summer, and some guys were out in the spring from an injury standpoint. Speaking recently about Klubnik’s progression, Swinney highlighted the trials that molded his QB1 into the player he is now. “Cade is, he’s just a veteran guy, a veteran leader, very confident. And that can only come from being battle-tested and having the type of experience that he’s got from really good success but also some failure as well.” That’s coach-speak for this guy took his lumps, and now he’s ready to roll.

The chemistry with his weapons has improved, the game has slowed down, and most importantly, Klubnik has turned those hard lessons into fuel. And the analysts? They’re starting to catch up. On The Hard Count with On3’s J.D. PicKell, issued a full-on mea culpa. “Cade Klubnik, I apologize. I wasn’t familiar with your game,” PicKell admitted. “Because a season ago, I was like, I don’t see it. I don’t love it. I don’t know. I need to see more upward trend. Right now, all he’s done is improve drastically from year one to year two in the system.” That’s a 180-degree turn from where many had him last season. It’s easy to doubt a quarterback who struggles in Year 1, but the great ones show growth, and Klubnik’s development has been undeniable.

The numbers tell part of the story—his passing yardage spiked by nearly 1,000 yards—but the eye test seals the deal. The biggest reason for the newfound belief? Stability. “Another year, another offseason, and as importantly, all his weapons—the majority of his weapons—his top three weapons are back. Two of them were freshmen a year ago; that will not be the case.” That continuity in Clemson’s offense has allowed Klubnik to operate at a different level. No longer is he hesitating on throws or struggling with timing. He’s in control, making the offense his own. “I love what he is as a runner. I love what he is as a passer. And I love even more the fact that he has more command of the offense.” When you put it all together, it’s no wonder why Clemson has gone from an ACC hopeful to a full-fledged title contender.

Clemson isn’t sneaking up on anyone anymore. They are, as PicKell put it, the team to beat in the ACC. “Clemson’s one of those teams that I think you gotta talk about as being a national title contender. Yeah, they’re probably an ACC contender—they’re the favorite in the ACC, so they probably should win the ACC—but like, y’all, Clemson, they’re working right now. They’re working. And I think Cade Klubnik is a big reason why we’re buying stock.” This is what a turnaround looks like. This is what a star quarterback does.

Now officially Cade has seen both sides of the quarterback spectrum.

Swinney Wants More Growth From Cade Klubnik in 2025

Despite generating plenty of NFL Draft buzz, Clemson Cade Klubnik isn’t making the jump just yet. Instead, he’s using his final year of eligibility to help the Tigers chase a College Football Playoff run in 2025. Clemson has big expectations, and head coach Dabo Swinney has a clear vision for where his QB can take another step forward.

“Another area that he can really master even more is just his situational awareness,” Swinney said Friday. “There’s some things there I think he can improve on. He’s a kid that wants to complete every pass.” Klubnik’s talent is undeniable, but cutting down on mental lapses in high-pressure situations could be the key to Clemson making a serious national title push. Swinney also acknowledged how much growth Klubnik showed last season and emphasized that he needs to keep that momentum going.

“Last year, we needed to see a lot of improvement on his negative plays, less turnovers, more physical development, more maturity (and) more leadership,” Swinney said. “Need more of the same (in 2025).”