Clemson's Cade Klubnik launches merchandise line

Cade Klubnik took over the Clemson starting quarterback job in the ACC title game.

Now the freshman is making sure to capitalize in the NIL space. The former five-star recruit and top-ranked quarterback in the 2022 class has played in nine games this season for the Tigers. He’s set to start in the Orange Bowl against Tennessee, too.

The quarterback dropped a merchandise line Saturday on Twitter. On his website, Klubnik has a variety of T-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, pants, beanies and hoodies for sale. Clemson fans can purchase apparel with his logo, jersey number or the motto “Join the Klub.” Prices range from $30 to $50.

The 2021 Elite 11 MVP came in the ACC title game following DJ Uiagalelei‘s back-to-back 3-and-outs to start the ACC Championship Game. Klubnik finished 20 of 24 for 279 yards and a touchdown, leading Clemson to a 39-10 win over North Carolina.

Less then three days after the game, Uiagalelei was in the Transfer Portal, marking the official start of Klubnik’s starting quarterback tenure.

Represented by Athletes First, Klubnik has started to ramp up his activity in the NIL world. His first deal was an agreement with the Clemson-focused NIL collective, Dear Old Clemson. The quarterback’s NIL activation came back in July, where he appeared at a meet and greet.

He signed with Mercury’s ClemsonTigers.io, a digital platform to serve as a meeting place for athlete and fans, back in November. Though the partnership, he’s appeared on podcasts and chats with the possibility of digital collectibles coming soon.

Cade Klubnik’s On3 NIL Valuation

The Clemson quarterback currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $192,000. The evaluation ranks in the top 250 of On3’s college football NIL rankings.

Since he landed with the Tigers, his social media following has only grown. With more than 106,000 followers, he has a following many brands will want to tap into. His evaluation has grown $32,000 over the last 10 weeks, too.

The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets the standard market NIL value for high school and college athletes. A proprietary algorithm, the On3 NIL Valuation calculates an athlete’s NIL value using dynamic data points targeting three primary categories: performance, influence and exposure.

While the algorithm includes deal data, it does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals athletes have completed to date, nor does it set an athlete’s NIL valuation for their entire career.

The On3 NIL Valuation accounts for an athlete’s roster value and brand value. Roster value is the value an athlete has by being a member of his or her team at his or her school, which factors into the role of NIL collectives. Brand value factors in an athlete’s personal brand and the value it could bring to regional and national brands outside of the scope of NIL collectives.