Could Clemson QB Cade Klubnik leave early for the NFL Draft? What Dabo said

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik has been playing lights out and has 11 total touchdowns in his last two starts for the Tigers against App State and NC State.

Could that elite play, if it continues, put Klubnik in a spot where he has to decide between returning to Clemson for his senior year or entering the 2025 NFL Draft?

The topic came up on coach Dabo Swinney’s weekly radio show Monday night when a fan texted in to ask him if he thought Klubnik would return to the team next year.

Such talk was unheard of after Klubnik struggled mightily in Clemson’s season-opening loss to No. 1 Georgia. But over the past two weeks, the former five-star recruit from Texas has been one of the best QBs in the country by any statistic.

Presented with that question Monday night, Swinney laughed.

“Oh man, I just hope he’s here this week,” Swinney said. “And let me just say this — if he plays so well that he’s got a decision to make, that’s a good problem to have, that’s for sure. So I absolutely expect him to be here, but ... It’s not even something I even think about right now. We’re just trying to beat Stanford. That’s really it.”

Klubnik, the No. 1 quarterback recruit in the Class of 2022 and an Elite 11 MVP, was 9-4 as a full-time starter last year as a true sophomore and, by Swinney’s admission, was far too inconsistent.

The junior’s first game of 2024 didn’t inspire much more confidence, as he threw for 142 yards with zero touchdowns and an interception in a 34-3 loss to the Bulldogs.

After his last two starts, though, the narrative surrounding Clemson’s starting quarterback has changed dramatically.

In a 66-20 win against App State on Sept. 7, Klubnik had one of the best single-game performances in Clemson and ACC history: 24 of 26 for 378 yards and five touchdowns, as well as two rushing touchdowns, exclusively in the first half.

He became the first FBS quarterback in the last 25 years to record five or more passing touchdowns, multiple rushing touchdowns and a completion percentage of 90% or better in a single game, per ESPN Stats & Info.

Then, two weeks later, he dazzled again — this time against a Power 4 defense — with 209 yards, three passing touchdowns and a career-long 55-yard rushing touchdown in a 59-35 win against NC State. The Tigers led 28-0 after a quarter and 45-7 at halftime, and Klubnik only played one drive in the second half.

If Klubnik keeps up that level of play for the No. 17 Tigers, could he work his way into the NFL Draft conversation as a draft-eligible junior?

Swinney said it’s far too early to tell and elaborated on his comments Tuesday, saying he expected Klubnik, 20, to be back with the Tigers in 2025.

“I don’t know why he wouldn’t” return, Swinney said of Klubnik during his weekly news conference. “I mean, he needs to just beat Stanford, not think about all that stuff. But, yeah, he’s a junior. I don’t expect that.”

Speaking broadly about the Tigers’ offense, Swinney said the only players he anticipates leaving after this year are offensive lineman Marcus Tate, running back Phil Mafah and tight end Jake Briningstool, all of whom have played four injury-free years for Clemson since 2021 and are out of eligibility after this fall.

“You may have somebody that may just want to move on somewhere else,” Swinney said. “You never know. But our anticipation is ... we know we’re going to lose Marcus and Brinny and Phil. But outside of that, we expect everybody back.”

Next Clemson game

Who: Stanford (2-1, 1-0 ACC) at No. 17 Clemson (2-1, 1-0 ACC)

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: Memorial Stadium in Clemson

TV: ESPN

Line: Clemson by 21.5 points