Dabo Swinney breaks down Clemson backup QBs behind Cade Klubnik for Orange Bowl

Clemson has to prepare for Tennessee in the Orange Bowl with Cade Klubnik under center. But with D.J. Uiagalelei departing via the transfer portal, head coach Dabo Swinney had to promote some other quarterbacks up the depth chart. The Tigers’ head coach opened up about what’s next for the signal callers behind Klubnik.

“Glad we got Hunter Johnson ready, he came on board, he’ll be our two,” Swinney said. “He’s been the three all year (so he’ll) just move up … Then we’ll get Trent Pearman a little bit more work. He’s done a really good job on our scout team all year, back-to-back Gatorade player of the year. I mean this is a kid that’s got some ability and so he’ll get, maybe, a little bit of work.”

Johnson was originally at Clemson in 2017 before playing the 2019-21 seasons with Northwestern. He came back ahead of the fall and appeared in two games this season.

In his two game appearances, Johnson went six-of-six passing for 10 yards. Pearman did not see game action this season.

Johnson has a storied background as a recruit. As a member of the Class of 2017, he was a five-star prospect out of Brownsburg (Ind.) High, according to the On3 Consensus. He was the No. 1 overall prospect in the state, the No. 2 quarterback prospect in the class and the No. 23 overall prospect in the class.

There was a lot of hype around Klubnik coming into the season. The Orange Bowl against Tennessee could be the game where he really breaks out and showcases his talent for seasons to come.

He has 31-of-46 passing for 377 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, a 67.4% completion percentage, 88 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.

“From guys talking to me, I don’t think really much has changed and I’m just trying to be me and that’s really it,” Klubnik said of the changing quarterback room. “I’m not trying to change anything.”

Swinney was excited about Klubnik stepping in and helping the Tigers win an ACC title, but also tipped his cap to Uiagalelei.“You know, just know he’s gonna do great things,” Swinney said. “He’s got a lot of great football in front of him. And then really obviously proud of Cade (Klubnik) and how he stepped in and how he’s grown and developed and he’s had a front row seat to really see the good and the bad of what it’s like to be a quarterback at this level. And so excited to see him have this opportunity to get his first start on a big stage against a really good team.”