Entering the 2025 season, quarterback Cade Klubnik and the Clemson Tigers have failed to live up to expectations. Clemson was viewed as a national championship contender, and Klubnik a Heisman hopeful.
Though through four games, Clemson sits at 1-3 after losing to Syracuse at Tiger Stadium, 34-21. Klubnik has not played to the level many thought he could, completing 37-of-60 passes for 363 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. While the stat line does not look terrible, Clemson trailed for the majority of the game, allowing Klubnik to throw the ball a season-high 60 times.
Klubnik's early-season performance has not only affected Clemson's season aspirations but also his projections at the next level. Let's dive into the quarterback's early struggles and what has gone wrong for Klubnik and the Tigers.
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H2: Why has Cade Klubnik struggled this season?
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So far this season, Klubnik and the Tigers have struggled to find consistency on offense. The quarterback has 996 yards and six touchdowns through four games, averaging 249 yards per contest. Before the loss on Saturday, Klubnik had only accounted for two total touchdowns in the Tigers' two losses against No. 9 LSU and Georgia Tech.
This comes after a season where Klubnik was one of the most productive passers in all of college football. In 2024, he completed a career-high 63.4% of his passes for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, and only six interceptions, leading Clemson to an ACC Championship and a College Football Playoff appearance. He has since been without his favorite target from 2024, as receiver Antonio Williams — who led the Tigers in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns last season — left Clemson's opener in the first quarter with a hamstring injury; he returned against Syracuse and had five receptions for 59 yards.
With plenty of other returning production around him, including receivers Bryant Wesco Jr. and TJ Moore, Klubnik has a host of weapons at his disposal. But so far, he has failed to play at the superstar level that many became accustomed to.
Cade Klubnik stats against Syracuse
Once again, Klubnik struggled against the Orange. He was 37-for-60 with 363 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, as Clemson trailed from the 11:01 mark of the first quarter to the end of the game.
Klubnik averaged six yards per attempt, throwing completions to 10 different receivers.
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Where is Cade Klubnik from?
Klubnik is a native of Austin, Texas, who became one of the most decorated high school players in state history. As a three-year starter at the powerhouse Westlake High School, Klubnik led his team to three straight state championships from 2019 to 2021. His remarkable career at Westlake was highlighted by two victories in the Texas 6A Division 1 State Championship, which cemented his legacy as one of the state's most successful quarterbacks.
During his high school career, Klubnik finished with 7,390 passing yards and 86 touchdowns with only seven interceptions. He also added 1,286 rushing yards and 29 rushing touchdowns. Klubnik set Westlake school records for career passing yards and passing touchdowns, surpassing the marks of Drew Brees and Nick Foles.
His high school success made him a highly sought-after recruit and one of the top quarterbacks in the nation. Rated as a five-star prospect by most recruiting services, he was ranked as the No. 1 quarterback in his class and ultimately committed to Swinney and the Tigers in 2021.
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Where is Cade Klubnik projected to go in 2026 NFL Draft?
In the summer of 2025, ESPN’s Mel Kiper and Matt Miller, along with other draft experts, pegged Klubnik as the top prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft class, sometimes even as the potential first overall pick. Other analysts, like Pro Football Network, had him in the top three, while Matthew Berry’s "Fantasy Life" ranked him in the top 10.
His strong 2024 season—over 3,600 passing yards and 36 touchdowns—combined with his mobility and the return of Clemson’s offensive coordinator and key playmakers, set high expectations for 2025.
But following Clemson’s 1-3 start to the season, some draft analysts have removed Klubnik from first-round projections entirely, citing inconsistent performance and turnovers.
To reclaim top-tier draft status, Klubnik will need a strong mid-season push.