Clemson QB Cade Klubnik Picked as Finalist by The Athletic

The prestigious award has famously eluded the Tigers' grasp, despite legendary runs by quarterbacks like Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence. But Mandel believes Klubnik possesses the unique blend of talent and opportunity to finally break the drought in 2025.

Mandel's confidence in Klubnik stems from the quarterback's sizzling finish to the 2024 season. Klubnik was playing his best football down the stretch, highlighted by a combined seven touchdown passes in back-to-back crucial wins over SMU (4 TDs, 0 INTs, 262 yards) and Texas (3 TDs, 1 INT, 336 yards). If that's the starting point for his 2025 campaign, the national spotlight will be firmly fixed on the Clemson signal-caller.

"I have Klubnik this high for the same reason I had Clemson as the most likely repeat conference champion last week — he’s not going to have much competition in the ACC,” Mandel stated, laying out a compelling path for Klubnik. “Something will have gone terribly wrong for Dabo Swinney if the Tigers aren’t playing in Charlotte in December with a CFP berth either already locked up or at stake. And if so, Klubnik, last seen throwing for seven TDs against SMU and Texas, will be The Guy there.”

This isn't just about individual statistics for Klubnik; it's about leading a winning program. If he can steer Clemson to another ACC title and a coveted College Football Playoff berth, while piling up the kind of big numbers Mandel projects, his name will be at the very forefront of the Heisman conversation.

The stage is set for Cade Klubnik to not only lead the Tigers to national prominence but also to potentially become the first Clemson player ever to hoist the most iconic individual award in college football.