Memories can be short.
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik took the opportunity at ACC Media Day in Charlotte to remind those who have quickly forgotten about the Tigers’ place in the upper echelon of college football that Clemson is still very much in the conversation about the country’s elite programs.
Recency bias, perhaps. But Clemson is only three and a half years removed from their last national championship game appearance, and only two and a half from their last trip to the College Football Play-offs. Yet, many in the national media have written off the Tigers as a has-been program after two three-loss seasons and another ACC Championship in 2022. Klubnik is not here for those thoughts.
Cade is thinking national championship and helping Clemson climb back to the top of the college football mountain.
“The reason I came to Clemson was two things; the culture and to win a national championship,” Klubnik said. “And I believe we’re going to do that while I’m here.”
Cade Klubnik
Klubnik’s confidence is shared by his teammates. Looking at the projected 2023 roster, and comparing it to those Tiger teams who earned six consecutive playoff appearances, there are striking similarities.
The 2023 Tigers have a loaded defense with a fearsome front seven that is undeniably one of the best in the country. On offense, they have an electric running back in Will Shipley and a plethora of talented receivers like Antonio Williams, Adam Randall, Cole Turner, and the now-healthy Beaux Collins ready to support Klubnik. It is a more-than-solid collection of talent, and at least on paper, easily one of the best in the country.
“People don’t know what they’re going to get from Adam Randall this year,” cautioned Klubnik. “They really have no idea how special this guy is.”
Cade Klubnik
So, is Clemson realistically that far removed from being a championship program? Simply, no. That is exactly what Cade and company are out to prove.
“We’re the second-winningest team in the country the past 12 years,” said head coach Dabo Swinney.
Dabo Swinney
That should be a reminder to anyone who doubts the Tigers. The wins prove everything you need to know. Those in denial are merely fooling themselves into believing that Clemson is no longer a threat. They are, and the players are ready to remind anyone who has forgotten. Clemson is as talented as any of the top-tier teams getting heaps of preseason praise.
“You know, we’ve got guys like JP (Jalyn Phillips), Sheridan (Jones), Nate Wiggins, R.J. Mickens and Andrew Mukuba back there in the secondary, so why not have one of the best defenses and go win a natty,” said defensive tackle Tyler Davis.
Tyler Davis
It all starts with the first game, on the road, against a vastly improved Duke program on Labor Day Monday.
“Every year we start over and try to win the opener,” Swinney said.
Dabo Swinney
A chance to win a national championship is exactly the reason why Davis and fellow defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro opted to return to Clemson for one final season rather than turn pro.
“Me and Ruke talked about it and with Coach (Nick) Eason coming into his second year, we thought we could do something special,” Davis added. “Why not?”
Tyler Davis
Klubnik drove the Tigers’ mentality home.
“We had an amazing year, 11-3, and an ACC Championship, but finishing with a loss always makes you work a little bit harder in the offseason to get that bad taste out of your mouth,” he said.
Cade Klubnik
A national championship on the first Monday in January would certainly be a fitting and sweet ending to Clemson’s rise back to the mountaintop.
