Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Cade Klubnik’s Emotional Reaction To EA Sports College Football 26 News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jeremy Beren | Last updated May 27, 2025 2:39 PM ET

Cade Klubnik raised eyebrows when he turned down the opportunity to attend Florida or his hometown University of Texas to join Dabo Swinney's Clemson Tigers in 2022. The four-star quarterback prospect had to bide his time upon arriving in South Carolina, but by the start of 2023, he had supplanted DJ Uiagalelei as Swinney's starter.

What followed was a Gator Bowl win over Kentucky to cap the 2023 season before Klubnik enjoyed a breakout year in 2024. The 21-year-old tossed 36 touchdown passes and ran for seven more scores as Clemson won the ACC Championship Game over SMU and reached the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2020.

Though Klubnik could have entered the 2025 NFL Draft, he opted to stay at Clemson for another season, which could result in the Austin, Texas, native flying off the board early in the 2026 draft. In the meantime, Klubnik has secured a major personal achievement that can be a springboard for further success under Swinney.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cade Klubnik (@cadeklubnik)

Klubnik on Tuesday revealed he's on the cover of "College Football 26," which EA Sports will release on July 10.

"Dream come true!!" Klubnik wrote. "Honored to rep Clemson on the cover!!"

Expectations are high at Clemson entering the 2025 season. The Tigers are returning many of their defensive starters, and Swinney's hiring of former Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen is expected to make a big difference on a unit that struggled to stop the run in 2024.

But Clemson's championship hopes go through Klubnik, and the protection afforded him by the Tigers' elite offensive line. There is even anticipation at Memorial Stadium that Klubnik can compete for the Heisman Trophy, which no Clemson player has ever won.

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

More must-reads: