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Clemson QB Cade Klubnik Defines Tigers' Ceiling, Says ACC Coach

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kyle Wood | Last updated Jun 9, 2025 8:00 AM ET

The rumors of Clemson’s demise appear to have been greatly exaggerated. The Tigers, who returned to the College Football Playoff last season for the first time since 2020, bring back more production than any team in the country.

From a Heisman Trophy-caliber quarterback to an elite defense, coach Dabo Swinney’s roster has all the makings of a championship team. Clemson even added a few transfers in the portal, a departure from Swinney’s usual approach to player movement as the program adjusts to the changing college football landscape.

“This is the year we find out if Dabo and his culture can survive in the new era of this game,” an anonymous ACC assistant coach said in Athlon Sports’ 2025 College Football Preview magazine. “Two years ago, we put on the tape, and it felt like, wow, their best days are behind them because of the shift in personnel and the stance against NIL.

“You saw it right away, especially at position groups like receiver where they used to dominate. Now they’re getting better; you’re seeing more talent than the last couple years.”

These comments were made in the Tigers’ exclusive scouting report in Athlon’s annual magazine, which is available for purchase online and at newsstands nationwide.

Clemson returns six of its 10 All-ACC selections from a season ago, including star wide receiver Antonio Williams and standout left tackle Blake Miller. Defensive end T.J. Parker and defensive tackle Peter Woods profile among the best one-two punches up front in college football. Shutdown cornerback Avieon Terrell is also back to lead the Tigers’ secondary under new defensive coordinator Tom Allen, who came over from Penn State.

However, the rival ACC coach believes the Tigers will only go as far as quarterback Cade Klubnik can take them.

“How good is Cade, really?” the anonymous assistant said. “His ceiling defines their limit as a program. You should see a big jump as [Garrett] Riley’s playbook expands with him.”

Riley, Clemson’s offensive coordinator, has been working with Klubnik since 2023, his first year as the starter. Klubnik enjoyed a breakout year in 2024, throwing 36 touchdown passes to just six interceptions. He answered the call in the postseason, too, throwing for four scores in a win over SMU in the ACC Championship Game and three in a loss to Texas in the College Football Playoff.

“They’re playing the game in NIL now, but they need a big season from the quarterback to be the old Clemson that charges through the league,” the ACC coach said.

The Tigers, who won six conference championships in a row from 2015-20, returned to the mountaintop in 2024, a year after failing to reach the ACC title game. But Miami, Louisville and SMU pose a threat to their hopes of ripping off another run and the automatic playoff berth that now comes with the championship.

“Little Ol’ Clemson” is set to enter the fall as a favorite to go back-to-back in the league, though Klubnik’s play could be the difference between another ACC title and a national championship for the Tigers.

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

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