Anonymous Coach Throws Shade at Clemson QB Cade Klubnik

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jeremy Lockett | Last updated Aug 27, 2025 9:45 AM ET

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik has been in the spotlight since the moment he stepped on campus, but heading into his third season as the Tigers starter, the expectations feel different.

While much of the national conversation this offseason has revolved around Texas quarterback Arch Manning finally stepping into a starting role, many inside the sport believe Klubnik is the more proven name to watch.

The junior has already put together an impressive résumé: 7,180 career passing yards, 57 touchdowns, and steady growth under offensive coordinator Garrett Riley. Coaches who have faced him see a clear upward trajectory.

Some Coaches Believe Klubnik Keeps Rising

“He’s gotten so much better,” one SEC coach said. “When you watch him versus Georgia [in the 2024 opener] to the Texas game, it’s incredible. What makes him dangerous is his ability to tuck the ball and get vertical. … Their best play is quarterback draw.”

That ability to extend plays has become a key part of Clemson’s offense. Last season, Klubnik posted 463 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns — his best totals yet — while still improving as a passer. Opposing coordinators say it’s that dual-threat element that makes him most difficult to prepare for.

“He’s not just a pure dropback,” a Power 4 defensive coordinator explained. “He’s good at that, but that’s not his strength. It’s when he has to create something, that’s what makes him dangerous.”

But with growth also comes scrutiny. Some around the ACC believe Klubnik has yet to prove he can consistently take over games the way Clemson’s past legends did.

“He’s good, but he ain’t Trevor Lawrence,” one ACC coach told ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg. “I don’t think he’s a first-rounder. He’s a good player, but if it’s covered, he’s not throwing it. He doesn’t have the faith to do that.”

That kind of evaluation cuts both ways. On one hand, it underscores that Klubnik has set a high baseline — one good enough to keep Clemson in the playoff conversation as the expanded 12-team format arrives. On the other, it frames 2025 as a defining year for whether he remains “just good” or cements himself among the elite.

With three seasons in Garrett Riley’s system, a veteran roster around him, and national attention locked on quarterbacks across the country, Klubnik has the chance to shift the conversation. Clemson’s playoff hopes — and perhaps his NFL stock — may depend on it.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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