The Clemson Tigers should have high expectations heading into 2025.
On Monday night, QB Cade Klubnik took to social media and announced that he is returning for his senior season instead of declaring for the NFL Draft.
Klubnik’s return puts Clemson in an excellent position in the 2025 season.
In his junior season, Klubnik passed for 3,639 yards, 36 TDs and six interceptions. His QBR (79.0) was 13th in the country. According to TeamRankings, Klubnik had 43 total TDs, trailing Miami QB Cam Ward and Washington State’s John Mateer, who each had 44.
Klubnik has a 19-9 record as Clemson’s quarterback. As impressive as his performance in the ACC title game, when he threw a record four touchdown passes, his performance against fifth-seeded Texas in the CFP first round should have the program eyeing great things in 2025.
In that game, after Clemson trailed 28-10 at the half, Klubnik brought the Tigers back to within one score with 219 yards in the second half. Per Sports-Reference, Texas is second in team defense (13.3 PPG), so Klubnik’s ability to bring his team back shows what he is capable of.
For comparison, Trevor Lawrence passed for 3,665 yards, 36 TDs and eight interceptions in his best season at Clemson in 2019. Lawrence put up those numbers in 15 games, while Klubnik did so in 14.
If Klubnik performs at a similar level next season, expect him to be in Heisman consideration and Clemson to be a serious threat for the national title.
