Dabo Swinney is finally letting it rip! The same Cade Klubnik people were calling overrated in the first half of last year? Now, he’s the Heisman front-runner and the centerpiece for Clemson’s national title hopes in 2025. Funny how fast the narrative flips…

Let’s rewind a bit. Cade Klubnik stepped up at the end of 2022. He balled out in the Orange Bowl and had Tiger fans dreaming big. Everyone thought 2023 was going to be his breakout year. But not so fast! Clemson didn’t even crack 10 wins. The highly-touted QB tossed 19 touchdowns against nine interceptions, and the offense just couldn’t find the rhythm. That’s when the noise started. Critics, fans, and even analysts were all saying Clemson needed to hit the transfer portal and move on from their QB. After all that drama, Dabo Swinney is clapping back. 

In a press conference on April 4, Dabo Swinney dropped the mic. “Last year everybody said I need to get rid of Cade Klubnik and we’re never going to win with Cade Klubnik, and he’s terrible and Swinney’s crazy, and he’s got this got shot quarterback,” the HC said. “And well, now everybody says he’s the front runner for the Heisman. It’s amazing.” That’s vintage Dabo Swinney right there, loyalty to his guys and  unapologetically old-school. And now, he’s reaping the rewards for sticking to his core. 

Cade Klubnik, to his credit, stayed locked in. On the Pure Athlete Podcast in February, he talked about getting offers after that rough sophomore season. But he shut it down. “I’m like, ‘No, I’m staying here.’ I need to get better,” he recounted. “I trust in Coach Swinney. I trust in Coach [Garrett] Riley. I need to put my head down and go get better because there are a lot of people depending on me.” And man, did he deliver! In 2024, he exploded for 3,639 yards, 36 TDs, and only six interceptions. He turned into the guy Clemson always believed he could be. And he is sticking around for his senior year, passing on the NFL draft. In this day and age of the transfer portal, you don’t see that kind of commitment every day. It sounds like Clemson’s got something special brewing with Klubnik leading the charge

Meanwhile, Dabo Swinney made some impactful portal additions this offseason. WR Tristan Smith from Southeast Missouri State torched the spring game with five catches for 137 yards and a score. Alabama transfer LB Jeremiah Alexander led the defense with seven tackles. Swinney made it clear that they only use the portal when they have to. “We’ve signed what, five guys in five years?” he said. “It’s probably the fewest of anybody, but they’ve all fit our need, and they’ve all been exactly what we needed.” And let’s not forget the $6 million swing on Tom Allen.

Dabo Swinney has high hopes for Tom Allen

Clemson brought in Tom Allen from Penn State as the new DC. And it wasn’t just about the hefty $6M paycheck. On the Clemson Tigers podcast, he said the job offered more than football. “This opportunity to have all three of our children close with us,” he said. “Doesn’t happen very often in this profession, and it was just too good of an opportunity to pass up.” A Broyles Award finalist, he’s already setting the tone—fundamentals, accountability, and energy. 

Dabo Swinney was high on him after practice. “I think the guys have really bought in. That’s been fun to see,” he said. “Just how they’ve held him accountable for everything on that side of the b— has been really good. I think he’s very attentive to all the details. I love that he’s a great leader for the coaches too. He’s high energy everyday. He’s smart. It’s been really good.” Sounds like Clemson’s feeling confident, especially on defense.

Dabo added, “We’ve worked hard on the red zone. We’ve worked hard on some situational stuffs.” But he also kept it real, noting it’s “again very incomplete defense. Lot of guys not available; more work to be done.” Still, he gave props where they’re due, adding, “With the group that we had, I would say certainly job well done by coach Allen.”

There’s no doubt. The Tigers are cooking something serious in 2025. Cade Klubnik is thriving. The defense has a new architect. And Dabo Swinney is standing tall in an ‘I told you so’ moment that could stretch to the playoffs.