Cade Klubnik explains how much he grew playing through trials and tribulations of 2022

Cade Klubnik is going from an understudy to a leading role for Clemson. In the end, though, he knows he’s going to be that much better as the Tiger’s starting quarterback because of what he learned as their backup.

Klubnik admitted that he wasn’t ready to be a starter last year while speaking with the broadcast crew at the 2023 ACC Football Kickoff. Even so, being able to learn from DJ Uiagelelei and Dabo Swinney as an early enrollee did a lot to help him to better make the leap to the college level.

“Going from high school to college is a huge jump. Obviously, coming early was so helpful for me. Coming in January, getting to go through my first spring ball, and getting through the season. But I still had a lot to learn,” said Klubnik. “I had so much to learn and learning from DJ was probably one of the best things ever. Just the mentor that he was to me, the guy that he was? One of the most selfless guys I’ve ever met. That was huge for me.”

“I wasn’t ready to go in and start,” Klubnik said. “Just to be able to learn from Coach Swinney, be patient. I was patient and I was ready for my time.”

From there, the biggest thing for him after that has been his effort to approach each day like he has something to prove in the quarterback competition. He comes to the field every day with an intention to compete like he still has to earn the starting job which, at this point, has worked wonders in his growth.

“Just preparing every single week like I was the starter was the most important thing. You’re really one play away and I got to experience that,” Klubnik said.

“Heading into this year, it’s attacking practice like I did every day last year. Don’t approach practice like I’m a starter. Approach practice like I’ve got to go be the stater. Approach practice like I’ve got to go be ready for every single game to be the starter now,” said Klubnik. “Just attacking every day and just, ultimately, getting ready for a national championship.”

Klubnik appeared in 10 games last season with one start. In that time, he completed 61 of his 100 pass attempts for 697 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.

During the postseason, he finished 50-78 for 599 yards, one touchdown, and two picks in a win versus North Carolina in the ACC Championship and a loss to Tennessee in the Orange Bowl. He also rushed for 81 yards and two touchdowns in those games.

Much of what Klubnik showed last season was in flashes as Clemson’s QB2. However, as their starter now, he says he’s better off because of what he learned over that time on the sideline and in those limited moments on the field.