Cade Klubnik explains his confidence taking over starting quarterback job

Cade Klubnik has a new confidence since he fully took over as Clemson’s starting quarterback.

Klubnik eventually took over for D.J. Uiagalelei in 2022 and was a much-hyped prospect coming into the Tigers’ program. But this could be the year where he really starts to get it going.

But Klubnik’s confidence level went hand-in-hand with his comfort in the offense.

“Yeah, I would say I just feel like I’m playing like me again,” Klubnik said following the spring game. “I just feel comfortable. You know, I feel more comfortable stepping out there and I don’t have to play for anybody, I just get to go play for me and I just feel at peace.”

Klubnik was asked about his pocket presence, holding onto the ball too much last season and how he improved going into Year 2.

“Yeah, definitely,” Klubnik said if he improved in those areas. “I’d say I had only one bad play. I had a lot of bad plays, but only that one play when holding the ball. Was just down there in the red zone …  But yeah, I would definitely say that’s been part of my game that I’ve been really working on since January is just pocket pocket presence. Just you know, finding the kind of time to get rid of it.”

In his first season, Klubnik appeared in 10 games and finished 61-of-100 passing for 697 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. But with a full offseason of work and the expectation to lead the team, it could be a breakout year for the young signal caller.

As head coach Dabo Swinney alluded to, Klubnik has a chance to be special.

“He made some great off-schedule plays and extended plays,” Swinney said. “I mean, that’s what you love. That’s what I love to see. The rest of it will come together when it needs to be, you know, a couple of tough breaks. I mean, it was a great play by Nate. I mean, the ball is right on the money. And it’s, you know, we’ve kind of played a little short and at worst it needs to be incomplete. But we were kind of tight to the body and Nate reached around tupped it and those are supposed to be picks, you know …  

“But he did a heck of a job and what you love about him is, man he can extend. I mean, he can really turn you know 2.8 seconds in eight, nine seconds. It’s just hard … But he’s had a great spring for sure. A really, really good spring. And I’m just pleased with what we’ve been able to get in and so yeah, as being incomplete, yes, we know that but we still have been able to get everything installed. We’ve still been able to lay a good foundation. And now it’s going to come together nicely. I really believe that.”

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As a member of the Class of 2022, Klubnik was a five-star recruit out of Austin (Texas) Westlake, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 4 overall prospect in the state, the No. 1 quarterback in the class and the No. 18 overall prospect in the class.