“This team has a chance to compete…the margin is small but if we can build on the momentum throught the summer with what we call ‘the transformation phase’.” said Dabo “To me the summer is when you make the biggest jump.”
Dabo Swinney
Klubnik completed 61-of-100 passes for 697 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions in 10 games, one of which he started. He also rushed 42 times for 139 yards and two touchdowns on the year. Klubnik made his collegiate debut at Georgia Tech, engineering a 10-play, 66-yard drive on which he completed 4-of-6 passes for 49 yards and a three-yard touchdown pass to Will Taylor.
Klubnik earned ACC Championship Game MVP honors against No. 24 North Carolina after completing 20-of-24 passes for 279 yards and a touchdown, rushing seven times for 30 yards with a rushing touchdown, and recording a 19-yard reception. He became only the third freshman to be named ACC Championship Game MVP, joining Florida State’s Jameis Winston (2013) and Dalvin Cook (2014). Klubnik also had an impressive performance in the Orange Bowl against No. 6 Tennessee, where he completed 30-of-54 passes for 320 yards and rushed 20 times for 51 yards with a touchdown. He became the first Clemson quarterback since the modernization of Clemson’s quarterback position in 1953 to make his first career start in a postseason game and the first Clemson quarterback to make his first career start against an AP Top 6 opponent since his offensive coordinator, Brandon Streeter, did so against No. 5 Florida State in 1997.
“We look like a team that is improved.” said Swinney “Starting to see some leadership from some young guys that is kinda encouraging.”
Dabo Swinney
Swinney believes that the summer is the time when teams make the biggest jump, and he’s hoping that Clemson can build on the momentum they’ve gained in the spring. The team will go through a transformation phase during the summer, and Swinney is confident that the young players will continue to step up and show leadership. If they can continue to improve, Swinney believes that the team has a chance to compete.
Other Clemson Football Standouts
Peter Woods and Harrison Sewell are two new players who have recently joined the team and are already showing their potential on the field.
In addition to the young players, there are also some older players who are standing out this season. Phil Mafah, although not considered a young player, is playing with a new level of confidence and has shown that the game has slowed down for him. In the 2022 season, he recorded career highs with 98 carries for 515 yards and four touchdowns, in addition to nine catches for 48 yards.
Also, Jake Briningstool, has been with the team for two years but has always had someone in front of him. He is now stepping up as a leader and making a name for himself on the field. In the 2022 season, he accrued 285 yards and four touchdowns on 25 receptions and even made history as one half (along with Davis Allen) of the first tight end duo in Clemson history to each record four touchdown receptions in a single season.
In conclusion, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney is optimistic about the progress and potential of the team’s young players, including standout sophomore wide receiver Antonio Williams and first-year starting quarterback Cade Klubnik. Both players have shown impressive performances on the field and leadership skills during practice, giving hope for the team’s future success. Additionally, older players such as Phil Mafah and Jake Briningstool have also stepped up and shown improvement. Swinney believes that the summer is crucial for the team’s development, and if they can continue to build on the momentum gained in the spring, they have a chance to compete.
