Clemson returned to familiar territory last season, finishing with a 10-4 record, capturing the ACC title, and earning a spot in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff.
Their path to the postseason was aided by some luck—most notably, Miami’s late-season collapse—but quarterback Cade Klubnik played a pivotal role in the Tigers’ success.
After an up-and-down sophomore campaign, Klubnik took a major leap in 2024. He threw for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, putting him on track for Heisman Trophy consideration in 2025.
Expectations for Clemson’s upcoming season are high—but head coach Dabo Swinney isn’t buying into the hype yet.
Following Wednesday’s spring practice, Swinney didn’t hold back when evaluating his quarterback’s performance.
"I thought he was very average. I think he checked out—I think he was already gone to Cabo or something … Not very focused. Not his best day," Swinney said, per Chapel Fowler.
Fowler later clarified that Swinney’s "Cabo" reference was a nod to Clemson’s upcoming spring break next week.
For a 21-year-old college athlete, it’s not surprising that Klubnik—like many of his teammates—might have spring break on his mind. However, for Clemson fans, Swinney’s comments could be cause for concern.
Despite early-season struggles last year, including a 34-3 loss to Georgia in which Klubnik threw for just 142 yards and no touchdowns, Swinney remained committed to his quarterback. While many programs would have turned to the transfer portal, Swinney stayed true to his philosophy of developing in-house talent.
For Clemson’s sake, fans will hope that Klubnik’s sluggish practice was simply a case of pre-spring break distraction and not a sign of complacency. With expectations soaring for the Tigers in 2025, Klubnik will need to prove that he’s locked in and ready to take the next step.
