Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik took the podium Monday afternoon with a confident yet determined tone, setting the stage for what he hopes will be a breakout season for both himself and the Tigers. Reflecting on last year’s hard-fought battle against Texas, Klubnik acknowledged the sting of defeat but focused on the positives his team took away from the experience.
“I obviously hate to lose, but we learned a lot from that game,” Klubnik said. “We showed that we can really play with them, and the way we finished the game gave us a lot of momentum. We got a taste of it, but we want some more.”
That hunger is driving Klubnik and his teammates as they prepare for the upcoming season. With key players like wide receiver Antonio Williams and offensive lineman Blake Miller opting to return rather than enter the NFL Draft, Klubnik believes Clemson has the pieces to be something special. He even admitted to playing recruiter in the offseason, encouraging his teammates to stay and build something great.
“I think we’re going to have a really special group,” he said. “No one really wanted to leave. It was either go pro or come back to Clemson, and for me, I knew I wanted to come back. It was the right decision, and I’m looking forward to this next year.”
Under offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, Klubnik feels that Clemson’s offense is finally hitting its stride. Unlike in past seasons, where youth and inexperience created growing pains, he sees this year’s unit as more seasoned and ready to compete at a high level.
“Since I’ve been at Clemson, we’ve always been a young team, especially on offense,” Klubnik said. “This year, we get to pick up where we left off.”
He’s careful not to rely too much on the idea of “momentum,” believing that it’s easy to lose if not backed up by constant effort and improvement.
“If you’re living off momentum, the momentum can stop, and then where do you go from there?” he said. “We just need to keep growing, improving, and staying focused. I want to be elite, and that comes from consistency—every game, every play. I have a high standard for myself, and I have good people who hold me to that.”
One of Klubnik’s biggest goals this offseason is cutting down on mistakes, particularly in high-pressure situations like the red zone. He’s spent hours watching film from last season, fine-tuning his decision-making, and working on his ability to recognize defensive schemes more quickly.
“I’ve been watching the games I played last year, looking at how I can limit bad and negative plays,” he said. “Red zone awareness is huge, and I’ve been studying that a lot. The goal is to make the automatic plays even sharper.”
The Tigers’ wide receivers have been a major talking point in camp, and Klubnik is excited about the weapons he’ll have at his disposal this season. He highlighted several standouts, praising their growth and work ethic.
“Tristian Smith is a great ballplayer with great hands—he’ll go make any catch,” Klubnik said. “Wesco is more physical and can make every catch out there. His work ethic and expectations for himself are really high. T.J. Moore is elite and someone you can always depend on.”
Another player generating buzz is Tyler Brown, who has made significant strides coming off an injury.
“Tyler Brown looks really good. He’s quick with good hands and has taken a big jump,” Klubnik said. “It’s really exciting to see, especially considering what he’s coming back from.”
Meanwhile, veteran Adam Randall has embraced a leadership role, something Klubnik believes will pay off on the field.
“Adam is looking good. He’s a great leader, and we’re using him in different ways,” Klubnik said. “His work ethic is second to none, and he’s playing free.”
Off the field, Klubnik recently had a unique experience that blended football with faith. He and head coach Dabo Swinney traveled to Klubnik’s home church in Texas to speak at a Men’s Warrior Night event in front of 3,000 people. The opportunity was unexpected but deeply meaningful for the junior quarterback.
“I didn’t think that during my time at Clemson, I’d go to Austin twice with Coach Swinney,” Klubnik said with a laugh. “My pastor, Brad Thomas, went to Clemson, and he’s been a great mentor for me.”
With the annual spring game approaching, Klubnik is eager to get back in front of the Clemson faithful. He takes pride in his undefeated record in spring games and sees the event as a valuable opportunity for the team to showcase its progress.
“I think it’ll be good,” he said. “I’m looking forward to getting out in front of the fans and taking advantage of every opportunity.”
On the defensive side of the ball, Klubnik has embraced the challenge of facing new defensive coordinator Coach Allen’s scheme in practice. He sees it as a valuable way to sharpen his skills and prepare for the unpredictable nature of real games.
“I love it. It’s a new challenge as a quarterback,” Klubnik said. “I get to show up and not know what they’re doing. It helps with my reaction time and overall growth.”
As Klubnik enters his third season at Clemson, he remains laser-focused on his goals—both personal and team-oriented. He wants to be one of the best quarterbacks in college football, and he knows that starts with consistency, leadership, and attention to detail. With a talented supporting cast, a maturing offensive scheme, and a renewed sense of purpose, Klubnik and the Tigers are poised for a strong season ahead. And if there’s one thing he’s made clear, it’s that he and his teammates are hungry for more.
