The Rise and Resilience of Cade Klubnik: A Journey Through the Ups and Downs of College Football
When we talk about the journey of a college quarterback, it’s often a tale of highs and lows, triumphs and tribulations. For Cade Klubnik, the Clemson quarterback, the narrative is no different. The low point of his career came after a Week 9 loss to NC State last year. The Tigers were 4-4, and it seemed like the end of a dynasty that had seen 12 straight seasons with 10 or more wins. Klubnik was at the center of the storm, shouldering the blame for what many saw as the dynasty’s demise.
Klubnik’s journey at Clemson has been anything but smooth. He was a prized recruit, but his rise to prominence was marked by a series of fits and starts. From a dazzling debut in mop-up duty to a delayed takeover of the offense in a thrilling ACC championship game win, followed by a bowl loss, and then the struggles of the current season. In another era, this roller-coaster ride would have been par for the course. As Clemson coach Dabo Swinney often says, quarterbacks need time “in the crock-pot” to develop.
However, in today’s fast-paced world, patience is a rare commodity. Coaches and quarterbacks alike are often unwilling to wait for the slow simmer. Klubnik, too, faced the familiar narrative of whether to stay or leave. “It was tough,” Klubnik told ESPN. “I had a lot of people in my ear after last season asking if I wanted to leave.”
Despite the pressure, Klubnik chose to stay. This decision was bolstered by Clemson’s five-game winning streak to end the 2023 season and his own gradual improvement. But more than anything, it was his relationship with Swinney that kept him grounded. “I never had any doubt with Cade,” Swinney said. “If I did, I would’ve gone and taken a big-time portal guy. But I believe in Cade. He’s a worker, he’s gifted, he’s smart. He deserves all the credit because he’s really grown.”
Klubnik’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance. He may not have become the next Deshaun Watson or Trevor Lawrence overnight, but he threw 33 touchdowns and led Clemson back to the College Football Playoff for the first time since Lawrence’s departure. Klubnik isn’t just a success story; he’s a product of staying the course.
Finding Strength in Adversity
After Clemson’s Week 1 loss to Georgia, Klubnik faced a familiar sense of dread as he checked his phone. In the past, this would have been a painful reminder of his struggles. He had already deleted all social media apps to avoid the toxic feedback loop, but the silence was sometimes worse. After a good game, his phone would be flooded with praise, but after losses, it was eerily quiet. This time, there were just five texts, all from friends or family who didn’t care about the outcome.
“Find your circle,” Klubnik said. “You listen to the four or five people. Those are the people that are there for you in the hard times.”
For star recruits, the pressure is immense. There’s always an endless supply of opinions from people outside the circle. The struggles are often attributed to a bad fit, bad coaching, or bad vibes. The allure of the transfer portal, with promises of more money, less pressure, and more praise, is ever-present.
For coaches, the pressure to win is equally intense. Living with a quarterback still paying his dues might mean risking their job before seeing the fruits of their labor. “It’s hard to have patience, because you have so much noise,” Swinney said. “It’s a lot harder than it used to be. Everybody wants to win yesterday, and unfortunately with quarterback play, it’s developmental.”
The Path Less Traveled
Klubnik’s journey is not unique. Of the top 30 QB recruits in the 2022 class, just four ended the regular season as starters, and more than two-thirds have transferred. Klubnik and Drew Allar of Penn State are the clear-cut success stories, and even they’ve faced criticism and setbacks. That they’re still here, on the verge of playoff games, is borderline miraculous.
Allar’s story is similar. He spent his first year learning under Sean Clifford, a four-year starter. When Allar took over, he tried to conform to the status quo. It mostly worked, but in big moments against Ohio State and Michigan, the Nittany Lions needed something extra special from the QB, and there was only more of the same.
It was only after Penn State brought in new coordinator Andy Kotelnicki that Allar realized he needed to help tailor the offense, not conform to it. “It’s about experience,” Allar said. “You can talk about development all you want, and learning behind somebody, but experience is the biggest thing.”
The Road Ahead
Klubnik and Allar’s journeys highlight the challenges of modern QB development. The odds are slim that more than a handful of the 2022 class will find success with the team they signed with out of high school. The COVID-19 pandemic, the extra year of eligibility, and the rise of the transfer portal have all contributed to this reality.
Yet, despite the challenges, Klubnik and Allar have persevered. They’ve shown that with patience, perseverance, and the right support system, success is possible. “I wasn’t where I wanted to be last year,” Klubnik said, “and I’m not where I want to be this year. I still see things I want to get better at.”
In the end, the journey of a college quarterback is about more than just wins and losses. It’s about growth, resilience, and finding strength in adversity. And for Klubnik, Allar, and others like them, the journey is just beginning.
Originally Written by: David Hale
