Key Takeaways
- Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik enters the 2025 season as one of the best play-callers in the country.
- Klubnik spoke to RG about how last year's criticism has fueled him to be the best leader possible for the CFP-hopeful Tigers
- “Everybody told me I sucked," Klubnik said, who could be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
Cade Klubnik #2 of the Clemson Tigers (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Cade Klubnik enters the 2025 college football season as one of the most intriguing quarterback prospects in the nation after he went from potential Heisman Trophy candidate to a signal-caller that projected some “Jekyll and Hyde”, if you will, in his game.
The Clemson Tigers quarterback has a bit of a chip on his shoulder as he goes into the year, he told RG Media. He notices the influx of attention with the new hype that surrounds him.
At the same time, he also comments that the perception surrounding him “doesn’t affect him much.”
It might sound a bit contradictory at first.
“Last year, when (I was at the Manning Passing Academy), I only got interviewed by two people,” Klubnik commented to RG.
“I’m looking around and there’s a crowd around everybody else. A year ago, everybody told me I sucked and I didn’t get my approval from that, but I still heard it. That was definitely some fuel, and I think I’m still kind of living off that a little bit.”
Along with the fire that’s lit under him, Clemson football’s leader at the line of scrimmage knows what he has to offer as the one taking the snaps.
He references embodying and explaining what a quarterback must do in the modern era — something Klubnik says he aligns with.
“Being able to escape the pocket and deliver on the run or hurt a defense on third and eight and you run for nine yards… stuff like that, that’s what is hard on a defense,” Klubnik said.
There’s a difference between a mobile-only quarterback and one who can improvise but who is first and foremost a pocket passer.
“Where you can get somebody that’s going to torch them up and run for 150 yards per game, that’s pretty much a running back who can throw,” Klubnik continued.
“Being able to be a pocket threat first though, is the most important thing. I’m mobile enough to be able to hurt you with my legs, but I don’t depend on them. I sit in there in the pocket and I deliver.”
Going into his third year, the Clemson quarterback says he’s given a lot of freedom leading the offense.
“I’ve continued to get more freedom within the offense, now going into my third year… I feel like I know what’s about to be called before it’s called in. Having freedom in one-on-one tags, checks and stuff like that is continually getting more and more.”
While he’s confident in his abilities, Klubnik isn’t afraid of constructive criticism. In fact, he welcomes it… as long as it is from the right sources.
“Something I have always leaned on is being the best leader and being a part of creating the best team possible," Klubnik said. “I am not afraid to be told that I’m not great at something, because I know there are things I can get better at.”
Klubnik notes some specifics in areas he wishes to improve in.
“Smart decisions whenever I do escape the pocket and being able to decide when to run, when to throw, and just counting to get better in the red zone is going to be big for me.”
But as Klubnik and Clemson prepare for the season opener against LSU on Aug. 30.
“I’m not trying to prove anything. I’m just trying to be my best self. If I was trying to prove something to anybody, that means they had an effect on me before and they do not.”
