How, and when, 5-star QB signee Cade Klubnik might factor into Clemson’s offense
Cade Klubnik will hit the ground running when he arrives at Clemson in a few weeks.
The five-star quarterback signed his national letter of intent with the Tigers on Dec. 15 and will be a January enrollee.
Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney compared the Austin Westlake (Texas) senior and top-ranked quarterback in the Class of 2022 to former Clemson quarterback and two-time Heisman finalist Deshaun Watson in terms of his build, though he gives the incoming signal caller the edge when it comes to his speed.
“He just has an unbelievable poise and presence and command. He’s so blessed to be able to be in an environment like that,” Swinney said in reference to the Chaparrals’ football program, whose alumni include NFL QBs Drew Brees and Nick Foles. “It looks like college teams out there the way programs are run. Texas high school football, it’s pretty unique.”
Klubnik led Westlake to a third straight state championship with an undefeated record as a two-year, full-time starter. He finished with 3,251 passing yards on the season.
With the season over, Klubnik will have a couple weeks off before preparing to come to Clemson where Swinney says he and the other eight mid-year enrollees will begin the transition to college. For Klubnik, especially, the process will be important because he could see playing time sooner than later. Clemson’s backup quarterback, Taisun Phommachanh, opted to enter the transfer portal, leaving D.J. Uiagalelei as the Tigers’ only scholarship quarterback at the moment after freshman Will Taylor transitioned full-time from quarterback to the wide receiver position. Quarterbacks Billy Wiles and Hunter Helms will be put on scholarship in January, Swinney said.
Nothing is for sure, though, as Swinney wants to get Klubnik into the program and see what he can do before committing to anything, including challenging Uiagalelei for the starting role. The sophomore quarterback struggled for much of the season and hit a stride of positive improvement toward the end, though injuries set him back some. Uiagalelei will be expected to take Klubnik under his wing as a rising junior leader for the Tigers.
“There’s very few programs in the country that’s going to have two quarterbacks like DJ and Cade,” Swinney said. “It’s going to be a great situation for us. Excited to see everybody elevate this spring when we get a little bit healthier, get these mid-years in here.”
Klubnik is part of an early Class of 2022 signing group Swinney refers to as the “Dandy Dozen,” which is also what he called his inaugural signing class 12 years ago. Also arriving in January will be wide receiver Adam Randall (Myrtle Beach), cornerbacks Jeadyn Lukus (Mauldin) and Toriano Pride (East St. Louis, Ill.), offensive linemen Collin Sadler (Greenville) and Blake Miller (Strongsville, Ohio) and safety Sherrod Covil (Chesapeake, Va.), kicker Robert Gunn (Pinellas Park, Va.) and punter Jack Smith (Saraland, Ala.).
Tight end Josh Sapp (Greenville), wide receiver Antonio Williams (Dutch Fork) and linebacker Wade Woodaz (Jesuit, Fla.) will be traditional enrollees, coming to the program in the summer.
“Just a great group of young men, great group of families. Six guys on offense, four on defense and two really, really good specialists,” Swinney said. “All in all, another excellent group.”
This story was originally published December 15, 2021 at 6:45 PM.
