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Clemson

Dabo Swinney evaluates early production from Cade Klubnik

Screen Shot 2024-05-28 at 9.09.17 AMby:Kaiden Smith•09/07/22•

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(Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Clemson won big in their week 1 opening game versus Georgia Tech, defeating the Yellow Jackets 41-10. The Tigers big lead allowed the nation to get its first look at freshman quarterback Cade Klubnik, the 5-star recruit named the No. 1 quarterback in the nation in the 2022 class according to On3 Consensus. Head coach Dabo Swinney spoke about Klubnik’s play, as well as his backup offensive line unit.

“Great to just see him go in there and the moment not be too big and really just execute, and not just him, all those guys. Our backup line, those guys we had worn them down, and our guys went in there they were excited to play and it was good to see them execute at a high level with their opportunity,” Swinney said.

On Klubnik’s one, ten-play drive of the game he threw for an efficient 4-6 passing for 49 yards and capped off the drive with a three-yard touchdown pass to Will Taylor, the first of his collegiate career. Klubnik showed brought a lot of excitement and energy to his one drive, especially following his red zone touchdown pass, which Swinney said he’s been doing since he arrived on campus.

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“It’s who he is, I mean he’s like that every day. He’s a kid with a lot of energy and great enthusiasm, loves to play, loves to compete, and super talented,” Swinney explained. “And it’s just awesome to see him get the opportunity and then go do what he did and definitely we can build from there.”

Many wondered this off season if Klubnik would have any chance of competing for the starting job during camp, especially following some of the struggles shown by starter D.J. Uiagalelei last season. But Swinney made it clear that Uiagalelei was the starter, as he threw 210 yards and a touchdown, along with a rushing TD, in their opener after a slow start.

Although in a small sample size, Klubnik showed promise in his first collegiate snaps. It’s uncertain when we’ll see him again for the Tigers, but hopefully for them, if he is in there they’ll have a similar score on the scoreboard as they did in their first game.