Dabo Swinney assesses Cade Klubnik's growth entering second season as starter

The Clemson Tigers are going into their second season with Cade Klubnik as the team’s full-time starter. With that, head coach Dabo Swinney is looking for Klubnik to find a way to grow as a player in 2024.

With Fall Camp underway, Swinney addressed Klubnik’s growth and what he’s done to improve as a player and as a leader.

“He’s on course,” Dabo Swinney said. “You know, he’s on course taking the next step of what he needs to do developmentally, and taking ownership as a leader is just part of it, especially at that position.”

Cade Klubnik came to Clemson in the Class of 2022 as a five-star recruit and the first-ranked quarterback, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

“You’re put in a position as a leader right out of the gate first of all just because you’re a quarterback. But being a quarterback doesn’t make you a leader. Being a head coach does make you a leader. A title doesn’t make you a leader. I think those are that are developed he’s just taken that next step,” Swinney said.

“His confidence, his work ethic has always been great, but he’s really matured in that area. That’s been a big area, whether it be meetings, whether it be just vocalizing things, or it’s just him organizing things with the guys to get together to throw or whatever. He’s done what you want to see him do for a guy that’s going into his second year as a full-time starter.”

In 2023, Klubnik started all 13 games for Clemson. He completed 63.9 percent of his passes for 2,844 yards and 19 touchdowns to nine interceptions. He also ran for 182 yards and four touchdowns while leading Clemson to a 9-4 record. In 2024, he’d like to take a step forward both statistically and in the win column.

One player, in particular, who Dabo Swinney highlighted Cade Klubnik’s relationship with running back Phil Mafah.

“I think they did a little church-type retreat thing. I think they went down to Sea Island together or something like that and did a little thing, and how they really grew closer together, but it’s a close team. They’ve grinded together. They’ve put the work in. There’s been a couple unique things throughout the summer you just kind of go, ‘That’s pretty cool,’ that has come from within the team,” Swinney said.

“That’s what you want to see. You want to see your team take some ownership of some things. I’ve seen that. Cade’s got a great relationship with all these guys and he’s a highly respected guy on the team because of how he works — not because he’s the quarterback but because of how he works. How he handles himself and he’s a gym rat.”

Cade Klubnik and Clemson are going to be tested immediately with a neutral site game against the Georgia Bulldogs to open the season.