Cade Klubnik believes Garrett Riley was the right guy for the job at Clemson

It was a relatively down season for Clemson football, which finished sixth in the ACC and out of the College Football Playoffs for the third-straight season.

That's not to say that 2023 was a failure for the Tigers, though. Dabo Swinney's team was 4-4 heading into November and even bowl eligibility was a major question mark.

Clemson finished the season on a five-game win streak, though, and that included victories of No. 15 Notre Dame, No. 20 North Carolina and Kentucky in the Gator Bowl.

Swinney deserves a ton of credit for turning his program around mid-stream, but according to starting quarterback Cade Klubnik, first-year offensive coordinator Garrett Riley deserves major props as well.

“People don’t give him enough credit to have to come into a brand new place where he has never been, doesn’t know a soul, doesn’t even know the offensive staff,” Klubnik said of Riley, per On3. “He had to come in and teach every single player the offense. Well, he also had to teach every single coach the offense. That’s a lot on him.”

Riley — the younger brother of USC head coach Lincoln Riley — was the offensive coordinator at TCU in 2022 and arguably one of the top reasons the Horned Frogs made the CFP National Championship game, where they ultimately lost to Georgia. 

Swinney quickly stole him away from TCU, and Klubnik credits him for keeping Clemson on track during the ups and downs of the 2023 season.

"There’s not another person that I would want right there with me,” Klubnik said. “I mean, just so thankful for him. We’re sitting there 4-4, and he just comes in just playing some music and with a smile on his face in the meetings and just never flinches. Just somebody that I can count on.

“Just freaking love him to death, and just so proud of him and thankful for him. The way that he has led me and led this offense and led this QB room, that’s what’s made the difference in my opinion.”

Klubnik had a good season, all things considered, throwing from 2,844 yards and 19 touchdowns with nine interceptions.