Klubnik is College Football’s Top Returning Quarterback in 2025
By: will-vandervort February 14, 2025

CLEMSON – Thanks to Cade Klubnik returning to Clemson for his final season, the Tigers are considered one of the top teams to contend for the College Football Playoff in 2025.

The Tigers’ quarterback had a great junior season, as he was one of two quarterbacks in the country to throw for more than 3,500 yards and run for 400 this past season. Klubnik also finished second nationally in total touchdowns with 43.

Klubnik was third nationally in touchdown passes with 36. And his six interceptions were second fewest among quarterbacks who threw 28 or more TD passes in 2024.

Overall, Klubnik threw for 3,639 yards, while completing 63.4 percent of his passes. He also ran for 463 yards and scored 7 TDs.

Klubnik’s performance guided the Tigers back to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2020. He also led Clemson to another ACC Championship, while he earned his second MVP Award in the title game.

Because of his great 2024 campaign, Pro Football Focus (PFF) lists Clemson’s starter as the No. 1 quarterback returning in 2025.

“There might not have been a more improved quarterback in college football this past season than Klubnik. After placing 102nd among FBS signal-callers in 2023 with a 63.9 PFF passing grade, he ranked fifth in 2024 with an 87.7 mark. Only Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders threw more touchdowns than the junior (36), and those two are projected top five picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Klubnik also ranked fifth in big-time throws (28).

“The top quarterback recruit in the 2022 class is finally starting to live up to the hype and has the potential to take a loaded Clemson roster to the promised land as a senior.”

The other top 5 quarterbacks list by PFF were Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt, former Georgia quarterback, now Miami QB, Carson Beck, Penn State’s Drew Allar and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier. Texas’ Arch Manning is No. 6, followed by DJ Lagway (Florida), Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt), Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee) and Kevin Jennings (SMU).

Klubnik and the Tigers will play against two quarterbacks on the list, including LSU’s Nussmeier and SMU’s Jennings. Clemson opens the season against LSU at Memorial Stadium on Aug. 30.