Cade Klubnik explains decision to return to Clemson in 2025: 'I'm still hungry for what I know this program has'

After Clemson’s season ended in the College Football Playoff, Cade Klubnik had a decision to make. He could declare for the NFL Draft – with a quarterback class filled with question marks – or he could run it back for one more year in 2025.

Ultimately, Klubnik chose the latter. He told ESPN’s Field Yates the decision largely had to do with Clemson’s returning production, but he also acknowledged the ability to get more NFL-ready.

Klubnik turned in an impressive 2024 season to help Clemson to an ACC title and a CFP appearance, and could’ve entered a wide-open quarterback draft class outside of top prospects Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward. But with the pieces coming back to the Tigers in 2025, Klubnik saw an opportunity to keep improving and contend once again.

“First of all, I think I need another year to really develop and keep getting better,” Klubnik said on Field Talk. “I’ve got two years, really, under my belt starting and played some my freshman year. It’s that, I want to go get better, but I’m still hungry for what I know this program has. We’re gonna be bringing nine starters back on offense and probably seven or eight on defense. We’ve got a great thing coming back.

“I came to Clemson to win a national championship. That’s still right here for me. I think we’ve got the best team we’ve had since I’ve been here coming back. That’s really what I wanted.”

In his second year under offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, Klubnik took a leap forward. He threw for 3,649 yards and 36 touchdowns – an impressive bounce-back from an up-and-down 2023 season. He also generated some Heisman Trophy buzz at one point during the season.

Klubnik’s performance helped Clemson to a 10-4 overall record and a victory over SMU in the ACC Championship. The Tigers then took on Texas in the College Football Playoff, where they lost to the Longhorns, 38-24.

In that season-ending loss, Cade Klubnik threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney noted that performance against a Texas defense that ranked among the best in the nation.

“Not many people that’s got many yards on that group [Texas],” Swinney said. “They’re really good and, again, missed a few opportunities to punch it in right there on fourth and one. We think we had it if we stayed outside and kind of cut in, but we just didn’t get it done.

“He’s just a competitor. That kid, he’s one of the guys that spoke up in there and just talked about — he said this is the most fun he’s ever had playing football. This team, this year. Most fun he’s ever had. Pretty strong statement.”