Cade Klubnik discusses weight, favorite foods

As quarterback Cade Klubnik enters his second season at Clemson, he plans to bring a new stature with him. Klubnik was 180 pounds when he arrived at Clemson, as he and head coach Dabo Swinney have both mentioned on various occasions the need for him to put on some more pounds. This offseason he’s done so, and with spring practice now underway, Klubnik was asked how much he currently weighs.

“I’m about 198 (pounds) right now,” Klubnik said.

What was Klubnik’s secret to gaining so much weight? He claims eating, a lot, admitting to eating around five or six meals per day and that his favorite food is a cheeseburger. While on the topic of food, the Texas native was also asked which barbecue he prefers, that of the lone star state or South Carolina.

“Oh my gosh, don’t even ask me that,” Klubnik laughed and said. “Texas barbecue all day. It’s not even close, that’s an easy one.”

Klubnik opened up about his weight gain goals moving forward as he enters his sophomore season, focusing on putting on the pounds while also maintaining his athleticism.

“I’m hoping to be about 207, 208 by next season that’s the plan, and just continue to keep my speed,” Klubnik said.

“Last year as you might know I went from like 179 to about 197, and then I feel like I was faster at the end of it. So I was 18 pounds and lost about five or six during the season as everybody does,” Klubnik explained. “So kind of get back in a little bit more than I was.”

Klubnik only played extended snaps in three games last season for the Tigers, making two starts in the final two games of the season. Between his starts in the ACC Championship game and the Orange Bowl, he threw for 599 yards and a touchdown, along with 81 yards on the ground and two rushing scores.

He was effective in his playing time last season, but this year will be expected to start every single game for the Tigers. This will test his body and resilience a lot more than last season, but Klubnik’s confident he’ll be feeling like a million bucks before their opening game matchup this fall versus Duke.

“But our strength staff does a great job, from lifting heavy but also running and just keeping our speed. Doing a lot of speed work and agility work, and I mean that’s all props to them, I just feel great. I feel like I’m going to feel great by August,” Klubnik said.