On Monday, Cade Klubnik announced that he will return to Clemson for his senior season.

While Dabo Swinney had maintained for weeks that he expected his starting quarterback back in 2025, some were still waiting on the quarterback to make it official. Now he has.

That means the Tigers will have one of the nation’s best returning signal callers taking the snaps next season and when you look at the weapons Klubnik will have at his disposal, you have to assume he will enter the season as one of the top candidates to win the Heisman.

Clemson has never had a player win the coveted award, although the argument can be made that Deshaun Watson should have won it in 2015. Now, with Klubnik coming back next season, the Tigers have their next legitimate candidate.

Just looking at his numbers from this season, Klubnik had an impressive junior campaign. The quarterback accounted for 43 total touchdowns, throwing for more than 3,600 yards, while having just six of his passes intercepted. He added another 463 rushing yards, proving his worth as a true dual-threat.

Those aren’t just gaudy numbers, they are elite. They are almost identical to some of the numbers Trevor Lawrence put up in his best year at Clemson during the 2019 season. And Lawrence played 15 games that year to Klubnik’s 14 in 2024.

Make no mistake, it won’t be an easy task. There are several other quarterbacks that will be in contention, including LaNorris Sellers from the rival Gamecocks, as well as LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and Penn State’s Drew Allar. Texas’ Arch Manning is another quarterback worth watching if he is the Longhorns’ starter next season.

Look no further than Klubnik’s last game for proof of exactly how good he can be next season. Klubnik sliced up Texas’ stingy pass defense, particularly in the second half. The quarterback passed for 219 yards over the final two quarters, pulling Clemson to within one score after the Tigers were down 28-10 at halftime.

Klubnik was deliberate, he was poised and his moxie was on full display that afternoon in Austin. He had three touchdown passes in that game after the Longhorns had allowed just four all season coming into the contest. It was just a small sample of what could be in 2025.

“He’s an unbelievable player, number one,” Dabo Swinney said after the loss to Texas in the CFP. “Great young man. He’s just grown into this amazing leader of a really close group. You’re just never out of it with him. He’ll always give you a chance.”

We might still be eight months away from the start of next season, but let’s go ahead and get the campaign started now. Klubnik is undoubtedly a Heisman candidate in 2025.

A limited number of signed replica road signs from Cade Klubnik are available!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!