Is Cade Klubnik the next fantastic Clemson QB?

• David Hale, ESPN Staff WriterSep 4, 2023, 07:00 AM ET Close ACC
• reporter.Joined ESPN in 2012.
• Graduate of the University of Delaware.CLEMSON, S.C.– Possibly it

‘s the hair. This much, Cade Klubnik wants to yield. It’s neatly trimmed, parted at the side, clean-cut, expert and, yeah, a quite close similarity to the cut used by his coach, Dabo Swinney.But Swinney isn’t

stopping with the hair. Klubnik’s bone structure, his facial functions, the method he carries himself, assured and energetic– it’s all downright Dabo-esque, he said. They’re cut from the very same DNA.

“He might be my child,” Swinney stated. “He hates when I tell him that.”

Clemson’s sophomore quarterback can argue with the idea he resembles his 53-year-old coach, but invest sufficient time around the 2 and the Klubnik-Swinney Venn diagram looks significantly like a near-perfect circle.There’s the unrelenting optimism. Swinney has a habit of summing up even the most bitter defeats as a possibility to get more information about his team and improve, therefore it sounded extremely familiar when Klubnik shrugged off the worst toss of his freshman season– an interception versus Notre Dame that developed into an Irish goal– as something he was thankful happened.There’s the unassuming personality. Swinney carved out his niche in college football

by being, for absence of a much better word, goofy. He danced awkwardly in the locker space after wins, prepared a pizza party for the whole campus upon Clemson’s very first playoff berth, created slogans such as”Bring your own guts “after a win versus the Irish. Klubnik may not be rather as quotable at this point in his profession, however he’s definitely not image-conscious either, his high school coach, Todd Dodge, stated. Klubnik, like Swinney, was cherished at Westlake High in Austin since of how little they appreciated producing a slick image.”We didn’t desire cool men– men who were more concerned about their brand name than their production,”Dodge stated.”And Cade is probably the most uncool football player I have actually ever coached.”Swinney’s life was constructed around football. Klubnik initially picked up a ball when he was 3, and from then on, he nearly never ever set it down. Though, this is one of the genuine distinctions in between the 2. Swinney was a walk-on at Alabama, a football compulsive whose true talent remained in teaching the game to others. Klubnik was so good from such an early age that his future high school coach, Todd Dodge, pegged him a star when Klubnik remained in the fifth grade. Dr. Amphibian Hasson, who was on the sideline for every single Westlake High School game for 37 years calls Klubnik the very best QB to ever play there, an evaluation he stated his buddy concurs with. Oh, and his best friend happens to be Chip Brees, whose boy, Drew, starred at Westlake in the 1990s. Swinney is unflinchingly competitive. After Klubnik’s middle school 7-on-7 group lost in the state national championship, he delivered a rousing speech, promising to return better than ever.

The team won the next two titles.Swinney savors every success with Tolstoy-length postgame speeches, dancing, an unlimited parade of handshakes and hugs with every parent and recruit he sees. That’s Klubnik, too. After Westlake won the 2021 state championship at AT&T Arena in Dallas, the team’s announcer was evacuating to leave. The lights in the stadium were off, however he could construct a figure running across the field, arms in the air, screeching with pleasure. It was, obviously, Westlake’s quarterback.Swinney has actually coached his share of greats at the position– Tajh Boyd, Deshaun Watson, Trevor Lawrence– however task some innovative expert system to develop the best quarterback for Dabo Swinney, and it would spit out a picture of Cade Klubnik.”As people, in our work ethic, in the continuously energy we emit, the management and the method we live, “Klubnik stated,”we’re quite comparable.”It’s fitting then that, after a two-year absence behind a malfunctioning offense, Clemson begins its mission for a return to the College Football Playoff tonight versus Duke (8 ET on ESPN )with Swinney’s avatar on the field running the program and a restored sense of optimism penetrating every crevice of the locker space. Cade Klubnik won three state titles in high school. Kim and Tod Klubnik KLUBNIK WAS A high school sophomore when his mother posed a concern: If he might play for any coach in the nation, who would it be?Klubnik didn’t hesitate

. The kid from Austin, Texas, who ‘d never even traded text with recruiters

from Clemson wanted to play for Swinney.For his part, Swinney had no hint who Klubnik was at the time. Clemson was hot on another blue-chip quarterback

, Ty Simpson, but late while doing so, offending coordinator Brandon Streeter popped on some Westlake game tape and told Swinney that, need to things fall through with their leading target, Klubnik appeared like a strong Plan B.Swinney saw the movie and was satisfied. He picked up the phone and called Klubnik, just to make an introduction.”We begin talking,”Swinney stated,”and he’s recruiting me.”Klubnik had more than 30 offers by this point, and Swinney was upfront about Clemson’s financial investment in landing Simpson. But, Swinney stated, if things change, Klubnik would get the next offer.Editor’s Picks 2 Related The two communicated, and the more they talked, the more Swinney liked the kid.

On the day prior to Simpson was arranged to reveal his decision, Swinney

pulled Streeter aside and acknowledged the elephant in the room.”This is odd, right?”Swinney said. “We have this opportunity to get this fantastic QB tomorrow, but I do not know. I actually like Klubnik.”In Austin, Klubnik was

similarly smitten. He had deals from the two places his mother, Kim Klubnik, described as “dream schools”– Texas A&M and Texas– however he couldn’t stop thinking of the connection he had with Clemson. After Klubnik demurred, A&M ultimately arrived at Conner Weigman, closing one door, and prior to Simpson made his option, Klubnik dealt with a deadline with the Longhorns after getting a confidential text from somebody at Texas tipping him off that Maalik Murphy was scheduled to visit school and most likely to commit.Klubnik made some calls and was told his best choice would be to devote to Texas. He might always alter his mind later on. But his high school coach put a different spin on the situation.”There aren’t many things you have in this world that nobody can remove from you,”Dodge stated.”Your word is among them.”That sealed the deal for Klubnik. He understood where he wished to play, and it wasn’t Texas.”He let that window close on both [in-state schools

] since he wanted to play at Clemson, “his dad, Tod Klubnik, said.By late February 2021, Simpson was prepared to reveal his option. The night before his statement, Swinney got a long text from Kim Klubnik. She thanked him for recruiting her son, gushed over how much the process had actually meant to him, and just how much she and Tod had actually enjoyed

getting to know Swinney and his staff.The next morning, Simpson called Swinney with news. He was going to Alabama.Swinney’s next call was to Klubnik.”And he just said,’Well, I’m devoting,'”Swinney stated. “It was one of the coolest minutes. He understood precisely what he wanted to do.

“ Nick Foles(best) went to the very same high school as Cade Klubnik( left). Kim and Tod Klubnik SWINNEY AND KLUBNIK beamed from the dais inside Bank of America Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was Dec. 3, and the Tigers had simply won the 2022 ACC champion. Klubnik was almost best, finishing 20 of 24 passes for 279 yards and accounting for two touchdowns.”It was an excellent night

,”Swinney stated, “and a look of our future. “Missing out on from the discussion, however, was much discussion of the current past.If the ACC title game represented the main changing of the guard in Clemson’s quarterback space, the months that preceded it provided little foreshadowing.Klubnik knew when he got here on school in January 2022 he ‘d open the year as a backup. DJ Uiagalelei had struggled throughout the 2021 season, but Swinney had provided the veteran a genuine recommendation. For Swinney, Uiagalelei and Klubnik, there was no competition.For everybody on the outside, the story was various. They ‘d seen Watson caught the beginning job a month into his freshman season, then saw Lawrence do the exact same 4 years later, leading the Tigers to a nationwide title in the process. Clemson fans wanted Klubnik to add to that legacy.In Clemson’s opener, an easy win over Georgia Tech, Klubnik came on in trash time and looked fantastic. Require a quarterback change began immediately, however Swinney emphatically backed his starter.Six weeks later on,

Klubnik saved Clemson from a halftime deficit versus Syracuse– the outcome of three turnovers by Uiagalelei– and fans once again presumed it was time to turn the offense over to the kid.A week later on, Klubnik got another possibility in relief versus Notre Dame. His first– and ultimately, his only

— throw was intercepted in Clemson’s very first loss of the year.Then in the regular-season ending, Klubnik remained on the bench throughout a dreadful loss to measure up to South Carolina in which Uiagalelei finished simply eight of 29 passes.By this point, a large contingent of Clemson fans were outraged that the blue-chip freshman hadn’t taken over as QB1, however inside the locker room, the tenor was different.Klubnik and Uiagalelei were tight, even rooming together on the road. The locker room was staunchly behind Uiagalelei, too, which made any change more difficult for the training staff. And for all of Klubnik’s capacity, on most weeks, Uiagalelei just practiced and played better, according to multiple sources inside the Clemson program.” Me and DJ had a great relationship,”Klubnik said.”We still keep in touch a decent amount. I simply tried to be his most significant fan and make him the best he might be. When Coach made a modification, he ended up being that for me.

Individuals attempt to turn a bad eye or turn us against each other, but it was never ever like that.” Truth is, Klubnik never ever craved the beginning job. He ‘d currently discovered the worth of biding his time.When Klubnik remained in third grade, he ‘d fulfilled Nick Foles, a former Westlake quarterback. Kim Klubnik heard Foles would be participating in an exercise session in Austin, so she pulled Cade from school

so her child might fulfill him. Years later, when Cade discovered himself involved in a three-way quarterback fight entering his sophomore year at Westlake, he emailed Foles for a little suggestions. Foles, who ‘d come off the bench and led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl triumph in the 2017 season, provided a lengthy reply imploring Klubnik to embrace his time as a backup.Be the starter’s biggest fan, Foles stated. Always take mental reps. Be patient. Learn.Klubnik did as he was told, and by year’s end he ‘d assisted Westlake to a state title.At Clemson, he took the same technique, cheering on Uiagalelei and humbly avoiding any questions about a quarterback debate.” I didn’t understand if I was going to

get to play in one week or in 3 years, “Klubnik said.”I just attempted to remain confident in who I am and simply find out, keep my head down and continue to work.” That’s where Klubnik’s love for the game starts, his daddy said. It’s not that he didn’t want the beginning task. It’s just that he didn’t mind biding his time due to the fact that, for Klubnik, the time was still well spent.”He loves the grind,”Tod Klubnik said.”It’s not that he doesn’t mind it. He loves it. He loves getting up early and working, remaining late and seeing film. He enjoys it. So in 2015, the entire year was the grind and improving. “On that dais after the ACC title game, Swinney admitted he ‘d in fact thought Klubnik’s minute would come versus Notre

Dame. He ‘d played well in relief in the previous game, and he ‘d had an off-week to prep for the Irish.This was all news to

Klubnik. When Swinney made clear his freshman was the brand-new face of the program less than an hour after the

ACC championship game ended, it marked the very first time Klubnik provided genuine thought to the task.”I had so much trust in the coaches,”he said.

“I came to Clemson for Coach Swinney which staff to be a part of this culture, and with that is just trusting the coaches– whatever plan they had.” Can Cade Klubnik get the Tigers back into the playoff? John Byrum/Icon Sportswire IT WAS KLUBNIK’S low point of 2022 when he won over the locker room.His first start for the Tigers can be found in last season’s Orange

Bowl. It went poorly. He threw for 320 lawns, however Clemson’s offense repeatedly bogged down in the red zone, Klubnik tossed 2 picks and he was sacked four times. Tennessee won 31-14. Klubnik took a beating in the game, however in the locker room he was upbeat. He hugged elders who ‘d made their last appearance for Clemson. He promised better days to a group of players demoralized by the loss. He was mad about the outcome, too, though. That’s the thing that really came through,

stated Hunter Johnson, who ‘d spent the year as Clemson’s No. 3 quarterback.”He took some shots, and he just kept going,”Johnson said.”After the game he was quite beat, but it was apparent that didn’t matter to him. He just wanted to win that

game.” I was like,’OK, he’ll be a first-round choice, among those men who’s going to take Clemson all the method eventually.’ He’s just a winner. That’s simply who he is.”

After the Orange Bowl, Swinney fired Streeter and brought in Garrett Riley to reinvigorate

the offense. It was, as much as anything, an investment in Klubnik.The new coach-QB pairing

has actually been a great fit. If Klubnik exudes Swinney energy, he may have much more in typical with Riley, a fellow Texan who radiates a palpable self-confidence that infects every corner of the locker room. Klubnik said the relationship has been a boon.Uiagalelei moved to Oregon

State at year’s end, clearing the course for Klubnik to finally embrace his role as the focal point of Clemson’s locker room. It took a couple of months for him to become totally immersed in the role, but Swinney raved about Klubnik’s existence and leadership this summer.A year earlier, Klubnik wished to be deferential in a locker room that had the utmost regard for the incumbent.

Now, it’s Klubnik’s team, and it’s a role that matches him perfectly. He led offseason exercises, tosses with his receivers constantly and even started a weekly Bible

research study for colleagues at his apartment or condo.”I’m the leader, the player, the energy-bringer– back to typical me, “Klubnik said.” It’s been a heck of an offseason.”

Now, the job truly begins.Klubnik mored than happy to wait his turn last season. The time on the bench was never ever what troubled him. But he has actually won his entire life– not simply games, however champions. That’s what drives him, and in 2015 disappointed that benchmark. “Last year, that was an excellent year,”he stated.”But this year, we’ve got bigger goals.”When Klubnik was in the eighth grade, his father took him to see the Under Armour All-America Bowl in San Antonio. The young boy was riveted.

When they returned home, Cade taped his ticket stub to the mirror in his bed room and made a guarantee: One day, he ‘d play in the game, too.In 2022, he was called the game’s MVP.As a freshman at Westlake, Klubnik was talking with colleagues about the future and presented a concern: What if Westlake won the next 3 state titles?At the time, the Chaparrals had simply one state champion in their history. With Klubnik at quarterback, however, they won in 2019, 2020 and again in 2021. When Klubnik puts his mind to something, he wills it into truth. He still has a white boards he uses to track his goals. That’s where the national title sits now,

an aspiration written in marker. But quickly, more will be written. It needs to be.” Cade always says it’s not a dream,”

his mom, Kim, stated.

“It’s a strategy.”