It’s natural to expect that the winningest coach of a program will headline some game-changer talents. With Dabo Swinney, that seemed to be the case as he brought on Cade Klubnik in 2022. He will return to the Tigers for one last season. Will Klubnik be able to match up to his glorious 2024 season this year? Apart from personal excellence, the QB will also have to be a leading force for the team. A veteran player, on the other hand, thinks some great feats might be heading Klubnik’s way in 2025.

Fans and analysts all came for Swinney and Klubnik right after his poor performance in the 2024 season opener. Clemson made zero touchdowns, an embarrassing record for a team’s starting QB.

But since the criticism of that performance, it was as if we saw a whole new Klubnik take shape. Clemson finished 10-4, along with an ACC championship win and a playoff spot. Klubnik seemed ready to go pro this year but chose to return for one final season in 2025. Without a doubt, Klubnik will be an inspiration for the team to look up to.

This will be the star QB’s 4 season with the Tigers. Along with that title, Cade Klubnik has also evolved into being an anchor for the team. This plays an important role as the roster prepares during spring practice.

At a presser on March 24, Offensive Coordinator Garett Riley gave some insights into Klubnik’s role in the team this season. He said, “Yeah, no doubt.” “I think Cade’s leadership has obviously improved [in] the year he had. The year ago-he takes that to heart.”

Riley also said that leadership qualities exist in other areas, like receivers and tight ends. “We’re young probably overall in the room of tight end,” he said. “But we’ve got people that have been here for a couple of years. Obviously, they’ve got some shoes to fill. But from a leadership and quality standpoint, I really think we’re set up to excel in that area.”

Klubnik himself sees the 2025 roster as one that is immensely promising. He hopes to win one national title too, and he thinks can come close to that with the current team.

The Sporting News quoted Klubnik from Field Talk, saying, “We’re gonna be bringing nine starters back on offense and probably seven or eight on defense. We’ve got a great thing coming back.” He couldn’t be more excited to come back because he thinks that this is the “best team [Clemson’s] had since [he’s] been here.”

The veteran QB will look forward to realizing his dream and hopefully securing another national title for Swinney. Meanwhile, an ex-NFLer thinks Klubnik is well-positioned to achieve more personal records of his own in 2025. Like Klubnik said when he announced his return, “The story isn’t over.”

Cleveland star thinks Cade Klubnik can break ACC record

Sure, Cade Klubnik made zero touchdowns in the season opener against Georgia. However, he silenced his critics by pitching in a whopping 36 touchdowns and just 6 interceptions last year. Athlon Sports has already predicted him to be a possible No. 1 draft pick next year. Former NFL linebacker Gerald V Dixon thinks Klubnik can achieve more stellar personal records this season.

On the 247Sports show, the host asked Dixon whether Klubnik could break the record for single-season passing TDs in the ACC. Dixon had no doubts about it. “I think he shatters it. He is getting back his skill position. From almost getting run out of town. From the year playing well to this year now.”

Pittsburgh Panthers QB, Kenny Pickett holds that record with 42 TDs in 2021. With his 2024 season, Klubnik was just six touchdowns away from tying that record.

That was not all. Dixon is also extremely confident in how much Klubnik would ‘shatter’ that record, predicting, ‘50 TDs and a Heisman,’ Dixon asserted. Those numbers might carry some truth to Klubnik’s prowess.

The star QB was a finalist contender of the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien awards. Dixon might not be far off with his prediction, as 42 seems like an attainable target for Klubnik.

Klubnik has high hopes for this season, but he also has to perform like a leader for the rest of his team. And who knows, if he keeps up what he did in 2024 and adds to it in 2025, maybe that ACC record and a Heisman trophy are also what Klubnik would have before going pro next year.