CLEMSON — This will be one of the biggest springs for the Clemson Football Program in quite some time.

Why?

There are a lot of people doubting where the Tigers land in the national landscape. Some even wonder if they will even challenge for an ACC Championship.

The doubt is understandable. Clemson did lose four ACC games last year for the first time, in one season, since 2010.

If the Tigers want to win an eighth ACC Championship in 10 years and earn a trip to the College Football Playoff’s 12-team field, it will all start and end at the quarterback position. Of course, that begins and ends with the development of junior Cade Klubnik.

Some wonder if he is the man to lead Clemson back to the CFP. Though his talents, leadership and moxie are not in question, Klubnik’s decision making is where doubters believe the Tigers can struggle in 2024.

A rising junior, Klubnik turned the football over 14 times last year—nine interceptions and five fumbles—but turnovers are just part of the decision making. There were several times when Klubnik went rogue and potentially cost the Tigers a chance at victories against Florida State, Miami and NC State.

That is an area where he has to develop for Clemson to get back to being a serious contender for the CFP.

Cade Klubnik, 6-2, 205, Jr. – Klubnik enters 2024 having completed 351 of 554 career passes for 3,541 yards and 21 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He has played in 23 games, including 14 starts. He has a 9-5 career record as a starting quarterback. He has also rushed for 321 yards and six touchdowns on 167 career carries and caught one pass for 19 yards in his career. In his last outing, he went 8-for-8 for 71 yards during Clemson’s game-winning drive in the final two minutes to beat Kentucky in the Gator Bowl.

Christopher Vizzina, 6-4, 210, *Fr. – This will be a big spring for Vizzina’s development, too. He redshirted last season to get bigger and stronger in the weight room, and to get a better understanding of the offense. This spring will tell us a lot about where he is in his development and if he can push Klubnik for the starting position. Last year, he played in just two games. The Alabama native threw for more than 5,000 yards in his high school career.

Trent Pearman, 6-0, 190, *So. – The coaches and staff love Pearman. He has developed well during his time at Clemson and word is he spins the football better than any of the other quarterbacks. The two-time Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of South Carolina walked on to the team in 2022 and redshirted. Last year, he played in one game (Florida Atlantic).

Colby Shaw, 6-4, 215, *So. – Shaw walked on to the team in 2023 and redshirted. He played high school football at Byrnes High School in Duncan, S.C.

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