When Cade Klubnik committed to Clemson as part of the 2022 recruiting class, fans greeted him with great enthusiasm. Landing a highly decorated player like Klubnik, who was the former Gatorade Player of the Year in Texas, Elite 11 camp MVP, and the top quarterback in his class, was a significant achievement for the team. The excitement heightened as fans got glimpses of Klubnik in action, particularly in end-of-game situations during blowout wins in his freshman year.
Initially serving as the backup to DJ Uiagalelei, who faced challenges during his tenure at Clemson, Klubnik eventually took over as the starting quarterback early in the 2022 ACC Championship game. His standout performance earned him the game’s MVP award, completing 20 of 24 passes for 279 yards and a touchdown, in addition to rushing seven times for 30 yards and another touchdown. Fans were thrilled about Klubnik’s potential and quickly labeled him as Clemson’s next great quarterback.
Klubnik has demonstrated his talent on numerous occasions, showing signs of improvement in areas where he initially lacked proficiency. Coupled with an enhanced roster of wide receivers, Klubnik is expected to elevate his game further this season. However, his main challenge lies not in his abilities but in his decision-making, a critical aspect of playing the quarterback position.
Last season, Klubnik’s most glaring issue was his occasionally slow and sometimes poor decision-making, particularly in crucial moments, leading to turnovers that put Clemson at a disadvantage. Much of this can be attributed to his relative inexperience at the collegiate level, but it’s an area where Klubnik is expected to improve rapidly with more game time. With a full season as the starting quarterback now under his belt, there’s optimism that he will display greater confidence, resulting in quicker and more effective decision-making.
Clemson fans are eager for success early in the 2024 season and are particularly keen to see offensive improvements. Klubnik faces pressure similar to what Uiagalelei experienced from the fanbase if noticeable growth isn’t evident. The emergence of junior walk-on quarterback Trent Pearmen during the spring game has added another layer of competition for Klubnik and the coaching staff. Despite these challenges, Klubnik now has more pieces in place to succeed compared to a year ago, providing a promising outlook for his development and Clemson’s offensive performance.
