Almost one year ago to the day, Cade Klubnik made his first career start for Clemson in the Orange Bowl against Tennessee on Dec. 30, 2022.
Now, the sophomore quarterback is getting set for his 14th start as a Tiger this Friday, Dec. 29, when No. 22 Clemson squares off against Kentucky in the Gator Bowl.
On Thursday, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reflected on Klubnik’s growth since the Orange Bowl last year, and how he has developed this year over the course of his first full season as the team’s starting signal-caller.
“It’s been tremendous,” Swinney said. “I think if you’ve really watched us all year, it’s easy to see that. The game has slowed down for him, and especially the last month or so, he’s really settled in. He’s just got good poise in the pocket, he’s making good decisions. The biggest thing is he’s used his legs in a very timely fashion for us. He’s made some big plays there, extended drives, created some big plays with his legs as well.
“So, he’s still got a whole ‘nother level. There’s another level of physical development that he has to have between now and next year. But for a first-year starter, he did a lot of good things.”
In 12 starts this season, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Klubnik has completed 63 percent of his passes for 2,580 yards and 19 touchdowns with eight interceptions. He has also rushed for 194 yards and four more scores on 110 carries.
As Swinney put it, the former five-star prospect from Texas has become “battle-tested” while fighting through some struggles and adversity amid a 4-4 start, before helping the Tigers (8-4) bounce back to finish the regular season with four straight wins.
“We were in position to win every game, and he’s battle-tested, much different than he was this time last year,” Swinney said. “He’s got a little thicker skin and just more water under the bridge. It’s a developmental game and certainly a developmental position, and if you’re made of the right stuff and you have the right type of character and work ethic – and obviously you’ve got to have the talent to go with it – then you’re going to get better, and that’s exactly what I see with this kid.”
During Clemson’s four-game winning streak, which featured victories over two top-25 opponents in Notre Dame and North Carolina, Klubnik threw for 633 yards and six touchdowns with three interceptions while rushing for 105 yards and another touchdown. His best game over that span came when he went 23-of-34 passing for 205 yards and four touchdowns with an interception against Georgia Tech.
Swinney hopes to see Klubnik end his first year as the full-time starter with a bang on Friday in the Gator Bowl at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla (12 p.m., ESPN).
“I’m excited about how he’s finished the year,” Swinney said. “He’s had really, really good preparation. I was just telling him two days ago, just standing behind him – you can see that things have settled down for him a little bit as a young player. So, he’s got a lot of opportunity to grow in front of him, and he’ll work to get there. I think when it’s all said and done, he’s going to be a really great winner for us. So, I’m proud of him, and hopefully he’ll have his best game.”
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