Fox Sports' Joel Klatt Tabs College Football’s Top QB Entering 2025 Season

Breaking Down the Numbers

Klubnik is coming off a breakout junior campaign in which he threw for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns while completing 63.4% of his passes. He also added 463 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, becoming one of just two quarterbacks in the nation to surpass 3,500 passing yards and 400 rushing yards.

He finished second nationally in total touchdowns (43), third in touchdown passes, and had the second-fewest interceptions (6) among quarterbacks who threw at least 28 touchdown passes.

What caught Klatt’s eye the most? Klubnik’s ability to stretch the field.

“He had the third-most completions in the country last year of throws that traveled at least 20 or more yards down the field,” Klatt noted. “He pushes the ball downfield, he’s athletic, he’s experienced, and he’s got Garrett Riley calling plays again.”

The Perfect Storm

In an era dominated by quarterback turnover and portal movement, Clemson returns a rare mix of quarterback, head coach, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator continuity — a rarity in today’s game. That, combined with a deep wide receiver room and a reloaded offensive line, is why Klatt believes Klubnik is perfectly positioned for a Heisman-caliber season.

“Klubnik is the guy, at the quarterback position, the stars align,” Klatt said. “This is the perfect storm for a guy whose team is on the rise.”

Klatt even hinted that he’s strongly leaning toward Klubnik as his preseason Heisman pick.

Klatt’s Top 10 QBs for 2025

1. Cade Klubnik, Clemson
2. Arch Manning, Texas
3. John Mateer, Oklahoma
4. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
5. Drew Allar, Penn State
6. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
7. DJ Lagway, Florida
8. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
9. Luke Altmyer, Illinois
10. Carson Beck, Miami

Clemson: Built for a Title Run

Klatt also placed Clemson at No. 5 in his post-spring Top 25 rankings, behind Penn State, Texas, Ohio State, and Oregon — but made it clear he believes Dabo Swinney is constructing another championship-caliber team.

“Dabo is making another run. He’s winning with multiple cycles of recruits — that’s the mark of a truly elite coach,” Klatt said. “If he wins this year, Dabo enters a totally different level in the history of this sport.”

For Clemson and Klubnik, the expectations are clear — contend for the ACC title, crash the College Football Playoff, and potentially return to the mountaintop for the first time since 2018