Cade Klubnik reacts to national championship expectations set by Dabo Swinney

High expectations have followed Cade Klubnik his entire football career. Entering his first season as Clemson‘s full-time starting quarterback, that isn’t changing anytime soon.

That much more pressure was put on the true sophomore after Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney set the expectation of a College Football Playoff appearance on this year’s squad. As usual, he’s handling it with poise and confidence.

“That’s our main goal at the end of the year,” Klubnik said. “We have real goals, but that’s where we want at the end of the year if we say it or not. To be honest with you, we aren’t going to get there if we don’t win Week 1. I’m just focused on our first opponent. We’re focused on that and that’s really it. If we focus one week at a time, it will eventually take care of itself.”

Klubnik came to Clemson with high expectations. He was the No. 1 quarterback in the 2022 recruiting class per the On3 Industry Ranking, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services. It’s only fitting that he takes those expectations head-on.

And he’s risen to the occasion when his number has been called. In his limited role as a true freshman last season, he managed to compile 697 passing yards and a 2-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

The bulk of his production came during the final two games of the season, including a 39-10 win against No. 23 North Carolina before suffering defeat in the Orange Bowl to No. 6 Tennessee 31-14. That is just the start for Klubnik, however, and he’s expected to take the Tigers farther than just a New Year’s Six bowl when the season is all said and done.

Despite not making an appearance in the College Football Playoff for the last three seasons, there is still plenty to be excited about in Clemson’s near future — especially with Klubnik paving the way. Moreover, head coach Dabo Swinney and the die-hard Clemson fanbase will hope that this is the roster that will put the pieces together and take home another national championship.

That effort begins on Monday, Sept. 4 when the No. 9 Tigers travel to Duke for an early Week 1 ACC bout. Clemson will be the underdog on the road, as the Bue Devils are slotted as 1.5-point favorites in Durham to begin the season, per Vegas Insider.