Hailed as the heir to Clemson’s quarterback throne, Cade Klubnik’s path has seen a lot of highs and lows. Clemson fans once believed Cade Klubnik would pick up right where Trevor Lawrence and Deshaun Watson left off. The five-star recruit out of Austin, Texas, came in with all the tools. Sharp mechanics, elite footwork, and the kind of poise that made him an instant fan favorite. But a promise doesn’t always translate overnight. After an underwhelming 2023 campaign, many questioned if he was Clemson’s long-term solution at quarterback. But in 2024, everything clicked. Klubnik turned in one of the most electrifying seasons in Clemson history.
He threw for 3,639 yards and scored 36 touchdowns with only six interceptions. He saved his best for the biggest moments. In a wild ACC Championship Game, he helped engineer a comeback and threw four touchdown passes to lift Clemson past No. 8 SMU as time expired. Now, as he enters his final college football season, the weight of legacy, redemption, and unfinished business all hang in the balance. And with one heartfelt social media post, Klubnik reminded everyone: this journey is personal.
“I think that I had a pretty good year last year, but I want to be elite,” Klubnik said, per Austin Hannon of 247Sports. Now, it all comes down to one last ride. Instead of declaring for the NFL like many expected, Klubnik made the call to come back. One more year. One more shot at taking Clemson all the way. To mark that moment, he shared a quiet but powerful message on Instagram: a post from Elite11 titled “THE EVOLUTION,” filled with snapshots of his journey. “It’s been a journey.” wrote Klubnik, as he shared the post as his story on Instagram.
As Klubnik gears up for one last run, the foundation beneath him remains steady, built by a coach who’s seen it all. Through titles, rebuilds, and quarterback turnover, Dabo Swinney has stood firm in his belief in culture over chaos. And now, with his QB returning for one final push, the spotlight shifts not just to Klubnik’s legacy, but to the man guiding him there.
Swinney’s Crossroads: Leading Clemson Into a New Era
For nearly two decades, Dabo Swinney has been Clemson football’s north star. A resume that boasts nine ACC titles, seven College Football Playoff appearances, and two national championships across 17 seasons. But recent years have seen his team’s dominance fading. The upcoming season looms large with questions. It’s the season expected to show us whether Swinney can sustain the standard he created, or if Clemson’s era of championships is slipping into history.
Credit: Imago
But Dabo’s 2025 roster is entering the 2025 season with remarkable continuity. They have 16 starters from last season coming back. This includes the three leading wide receivers and four starting offensive linemen. Defensively, the Tigers bring back stalwarts like T.J. Parker and Peter Woods and welcome new coordinator Tom Allen, who saw success at Penn State last season. “I’m probably having more fun these past few years than I’ve had in a long time because I like the challenge,” Swinney said to CBS Sports this spring. “Challenge is fun. I don’t think there’s ever been a better time to lead in college football than right now.” Analysts place the Tigers among college football’s true national title contenders.
That doesn’t mean the road is smooth. Clemson opens the season with a high-stakes showdown against LSU. A game that could set the tone for everything that follows. Rivalry matchups against Florida State and Georgia Tech loom large, each posing threats to Clemson’s postseason hopes. But pressure is nothing new for Swinney or Klubnik. What makes this season different is the sense of shared urgency. Coach and quarterback. Builder and believer. Both know what’s at stake. And together, they have one last shot to bring Clemson back to the mountaintop.
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