Tajh Boyd, Deshaun Watson, Trevor Lawrence and now D.J. Uiagalelei. All elite-level college quarterbacks in the Dabo Swinney era.
While the Uiagalelei era may be just officially beginning this season, Clemson fans already know the guy that is expected to take the reins in 2023. That guy is Cade Klubnik, who committed to Clemson back in February.
The 6-foot-3, 185 pound prospect from Austin, Texas is a legit Top-100 player, and the four-star quarterback just earned an invite to the Elite-11 finals with an impressive showing at a camp over the weekend. What made the performance even more impressive was the fact that he is still recovering from a shoulder injury suffered while leading Westlake to a state title last season.
“Wasn’t my best day just because my arm was kind of wearing out at the end,” Klubnik said after the outing in an interview with Sports Stars of Tomorrow. “(Was) getting pretty tired, I haven’t thrown this much since the season just because my shoulder injury but I thought it was great day. It was really fun just kind of getting to be in this atmosphere.”
Klubnik is ranked as the No. 5 pro-style quarterback in the country, although, he has proved time and again that he is also just as capable of making plays with his legs. However, Klubnik says he is a quarterback whose first priority will always be making a play through the air.
“I’ve kind of always called myself like a mobile quarterback, kind of like a pro style but I can use my legs if I need to,” Klubnik said. “I don’t like class myself as a dual threat because dual threats can be just so like, just running. Like if I escape the pocket I’m gonna look to throw first, not run first.”
The highly-touted quarterback said his commitment is rock-solid and that it was the family-like atmosphere that drew him to Clemson. Not to mention a coaching staff that he considers to be the best in the country.
“It just kind of felt like family since day one and it’s got it all,” Klubnik said. “You know it’s got great people but also like, amazing, amazing football team and amazing people with amazing coaches. There’s not another coaching staff that’s like theirs and that’s the truth.”
