Cade Klubnik believes Clemson's mindset will surprise people

Parts of the last two seasons at Clemson likely haven’t been up to the standard that people have for the Tigers at this point of Dabo Swinney’s tenure. Even so, QB Cade Klubnik believes his team is well on their way to correcting that trend based on their approach to this upcoming season.

During a press conference that he had on Monday, Klubnik opened by talking about what aspect of Clemson he thought would surprise some. His answer was the Tiger’s mindset heading into the year and their attitude throughout the offseason and fall camp.

“I would say our mindset and our determination this year. I think that we have an energy and joy for the game that I haven’t seen since I’ve been here,” Klubnik said. “Our love for each other, just the mindset we have, honestly. The mindset we have going into this year? It’s incredible.”

There’s still plenty to be pleased about from Clemson’s last three years. The Tigers have gone 31-8 overall in that time and have won a pair of ACC Championships.

Even so, after playing for the national title in four of five seasons from 2015 to 2019 with a pair of trophies to show for it, their run in this current decade has fallen somewhat flat with them only making the College Football Playoff once.

That’s why, in 2023, Klubnik believes Clemson has a reinvigorated outlook. They’re playing with and for one another and, if nothing else, they’re having a great time with each other as they prepare to impress this fall.

“The determination, the want to that every single player on the team has this year? We’re going for it all and we’re ready,” said Klubnik. “We’ve had a heck of an offseason. Every day we come out here and there’s nobody slugging around.”

“It’s high energy, lots of joy going around. It’s fun,” said Klubnik.

Clemson quarterbacks, Garrett Riley showcase new mustaches

The Clemson quarterbacks are, apparently, making it a point to grow out mustaches through fall camp — at least as best as they can. New OC Garrett Riley has joined in on the action as well.

In a video that Clemson football shared on X/Twitter on Wednesday, Riley and the four Clemson quarterbacks — Cade Klubnik, Christopher Vizzina, Hunter Helms , and Trent Pearman — discussed their facial hair. Or lack thereof.

“It’s ‘stache season. Time to get dirty. Just a quarterback thing. But I felt like I probably needed to probably get involved, starting this thing off right,” Riley said, sporting a full but minimal mustache.

It's officially stache szn 🥸 pic.twitter.com/WhoCl51f5d

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) August 16, 2023