Dabo Swinney blunt on Cade Klubnik's return to Clemson: 'There was never any doubt'

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney was not surprised in the least that Cade Klubnik returned to the Tigers for the 2025 season.

Klubnik had his best season in 2024, helping Clemson to an ACC title and the College Football Playoff. But he came back for more and Swinney was already preparing for the possibility.

Now, it’s do or die for the Tigers.

“Didn’t have a reaction, because I knew he was coming back, so there was never any doubt that he was coming back,” Swinney said. “So there really was no reaction. It was just, it was, I mean, I knew he was coming back.”

Klubnik set career highs last season, throwing for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 63.4% completion percentage.

Klubnik wasn’t the only starter to come back for Clemson. Swinney attributed the player retention to the culture within the program.

“I mean, it just speaks to the culture here,” Swinney said. “I mean, we’ve had seismic changes in college football the last few years. I mean, like in the history of the game, and I think we’ve been top in the country, you know, top couple (of teams) in the country the last two years, in retention. So, I mean, I think it kind of answers itself. It’s not like we lock them in a room here and tell them they can’t ever leave. These guys leave anytime they want, you know?” 

Swinney, who was reluctant to attack the transfer portal, has started to adjust to the changes of college athletics. But one thing remains, the way he builds his program is old school and the players, like Klubnik, buy in.

“I think we’re relationship driven, we’re purpose driven, and the kids … it also speaks to how we do things on the front end,” Swinney said. “There’s a transaction, but it’s not transactional here, which is not, I mean, it’s relationships. And, you know, we’ve created an environment where the kids can calculate a cost and a consequence of leaving. You know, there’s value in being here, there’s value in the place, there’s value in the people. And that’s not easy to have.”

Clemson finished the 2024 season 10-4, winning the ACC and made the College Football Playoff. With Klubnik and others back in the fold, Swinney and crew could certainly take a step forward.