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Clemson

Dabo Swinney details development of Cade Klubnik, need for strength

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•08/07/24•

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cade-klubnik-describes-the-conversation-he-had-with-dabo-swinney-about-not-getting-used-to-losing
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik and head coach Dabo Swinney. (Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports)

As Cade Klubnik enters his second full season as the Clemson starting quarterback, there was plenty he worked on during the offseason. One of those was finding a way to get stronger, hoping to take full advantage of his dual-threat ability. Dabo Swinney wants to get every ounce of talent out of his quarterback but cannot have Klubnik in the open field without some strength.

We will not be able to see the results until real games take place. Swinney is not going to let teammates hit the quarterback during fall camp and rightfully so. Nobody wants to lose the starter before a snap is even played.

But there is hope results will pay off, beginning with the season opener against Georgia. Swinney is excited to see Klubnik showing off his new strength out there, maybe running through a few defenders.

“I definitely think he’s bigger, stronger, and all that stuff,” Swinney said. “He’s obviously more experienced and has more confidence to him out there. But I think that part of the game will be more when he plays the season and maybe show up a little bit more whether it’s finishing with the ball and not getting the ball knocked out. Or maybe breaking some tackles, pulling away. Those are the type of things where you see, hopefully, some of his strength show up. As opposed to where he was last year at this time.”

From sophomore to junior year, there is no weight different for Klubnik on the official Clemson roster. He is still listed at 6’2, 205 pounds. Although when Klubnik was a true freshman, the weight was at 195. So, the 10 pounds added could have maybe changed to become what the Tigers need.

It’s just one area of improvement for Klubnik ahead of the 2024 season. Stepping up as a true leader in the locker room has been huge for Clemson and one Swinney believes the program needed, especially from a second-year starter at QB.

“His confidence, his work ethic has always been great, but he’s really matured in that area,” Swinney said. “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.”