Cade Klubnik has been much maligned from the outside looking in.
Clemson’s embattled quarterback is entering his second season as the full-time starter and the junior knows the critics are constantly banging on the door. In truth, the Tigers’ signal caller has suffered from some costly mental errors in his time under center, but Cade feels those moments of adversity have made him a better, more mature player entering the 2024 season.
Speaking to the media following Tuesday afternoon’s team scrimmage, Cade spoke about the things that will make him a better player on and off the field this season.
“Making plays that I wouldn’t have made last year, just smarter plays, and I’ve learned how to manage the game better,” said Klubnik of his offseason development. “I’ve seen that, and I feel like the coaches have seen it through me. Just doing things that we wouldn’t have done last year and we’re doing now. We’re a team that is more experienced now offensively.”
Cade Klubnik
Cade passed for 2,844 yards and 19 touchdowns last season but coupled that with nine interceptions. He did complete 64 percent of his passes, a solid number, but several costly fumbles and misreads led directly, and indirectly, to several Clemson losses. It led to many questioning Klubnik’s ability as a quarterback, and worse, his mental toughness. But Cade is ready to silence the critics once and for all and change the narrative around his game.
“I think we have a really good mindset more than anything,” he said. “First of all, we were a really young team last year and as a team, we’re a lot smarter. For me personally, just having a year under my belt. A smarter football team, guys that have a little more experience kind of all over when it comes to receivers, offensive line, quarterback, running back, just a lot of guys who have played a lot of ball now. Getting to come back in the same offense again is huge.”
Cade Klubnik
Klubnik has always seen himself as a leader, whether those on the outside want to give him credit for that attribute or not. Ultimately, Cade does not feel the need to prove himself to anyone but himself, his coaches, and his teammates.
“I think the mentality of looking back at last season and seeing what I can do better, I think that I’ve always been a natural leader, and I finally got to step into that role this past season,” he added.
Cade Klubnik 2023 Regular Season Highlights | Clemson QB (youtube.com)
Part of Klubnik’s development has been self-improvement, as well as having a cast of healthy playmakers around him. An area where Cade has improved his own game has been as a runner. His prowess with his legs has been evident through the first two weeks of fall camp.
“Having that experience under my belt and knowing when to get out (of the pocket), and truly having a college football play clock in terms of when the ball needs to get out of my hands and when to take off is something I feel like I have developed and gotten better at,” he said.
Cade Klubnik
And the weapons around him are starting to shine, too. Cade spoke about the contributions so far of running back Phil Mafah and wide receiver Adam Randall, the latter of who seems primed for a breakout season in the Tigers’ passing game.
“Obviously it was fun to get back in Death Valley,” stated Klubnik. “It was a good day for the offense, and we did a good job of executing. Phil started us out with some big runs right off the bat and Adam Randall had a great day and made some big-time plays. I think the best part was just spreading the ball around. Being efficient with the football. Everybody did their job.”
Cade Klubnik
If the Clemson offense has a lot of good days this fall, then Cade Klubnik and company will be the dealer of many bad days for Tiger opponents.
