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Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik isn’t shy about what he believes has to change for the Tigers in 2025. After a 2024 campaign that saw him throw for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns while leading Clemson to an ACC title, the senior signal-caller insists there’s still another level to reach, and it starts with finishing games the right way.
“I want to stay aggressive for four quarters,” Klubnik said after fall camp wrapped this week. “Last year, there were times we got up big and let teams back into games. That’s not who we want to be. We respect our opponents by giving them our best the whole game.”
It’s a lesson, he says, that comes from both reflection and a reminder from Todd Dodge, his high school coach, who always preached finishing strong, no matter the score. For Klubnik, that mentality is now central to Clemson’s offensive identity as he prepares for his final season in orange.
Klubnik’s numbers last season cemented his spot among the ACC’s top quarterbacks. He completed 63.4% of his passes and added 463 rushing yards and seven scores with his legs. But despite those accomplishments, Clemson still had moments of inconsistency, particularly in the second half of games.
Clemson scored 83 fourth-quarter points across 14 games. That’s just 5.9 per game in the final frame, letting double-digit leads slip late against Pitt and SMU. Klubnik takes ownership of that. “Looking back, I missed throws and reads that could’ve closed out games,” he said. “This year, it’s about putting the pressure on for all four quarters.”
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Points | 149 | 137 | 117 | 83 |
| Avg. Points Per Quarter | 10.6 | 9.8 | 8.4 | 5.9 |
One area where he feels Clemson can take a step forward is the red zone. Klubnik praised the offense for limiting negative plays, protecting the football, and trusting playmakers in tight spaces. He also highlighted the “controlled freedom” Garrett Riley gives him at the line of scrimmage.
“It’s not like I can run whatever I want,” Klubnik explained. “Sometimes you’ve just got to play ball. If it’s a bad look, we can get into something better. That makes a big difference, especially down there.”
That blend of structure and freedom could be the difference between field goals and touchdowns in 2025. Clemson scored touchdowns on 59% of its red-zone trips last season, 31 of 52 opportunities. It’s good, but not elite. Klubnik believes a higher conversion rate is the key to unlocking the Tigers’ ceiling.
For Klubnik, entering his senior season brings both urgency and perspective. Asked about personal goals, he brushed aside stats in favor of wins. “At the end of the day, I want to go win,” he said. “You can’t win them all until you win the first one.”
It’s a fitting mantra for a quarterback who has already grown from a talented underclassman into Clemson’s clear leader. His focus is on playing with confidence and poise without chasing numbers. It shows a maturity that could define his final season.
The first test of that new mentality comes quickly. LSU visits Death Valley in a primetime showdown to open the season. The Tigers from Baton Rouge bring SEC speed and physicality, and the spotlight will be bright. It’s the perfect stage for Klubnik to begin his last chapter at Clemson.
“Camp was great, but now it’s about routine and preparing for what’s next,” he said. “We’re pumped to get started.”
Steady, focused, and determined; if Klubnik has his way, those traits will shape not just Clemson’s season opener, but the legacy he leaves behind as the Tigers’ quarterback. No matter where Klubnik ends up in the minds’ eye of Tiger fans among Clemson’s quarterback greats, he has positioned himself to secure a spot near the top with an elite final season.
