The Athletic's Stewart Mandel predicts Clemson star QB Cade Klubnik as a Heisman finalist
The Athletic's Stewart Mandel included Klubnik in his latest short list of players who could wind up in New York this December as part of the Heisman ceremony — and maybe even take it home.
Mandel pointed out that Klubnik ended last season playing some of his best football, throwing seven touchdown passes combined in back-to-back wins over SMU and Texas. If he picks up where he left off, Clemson could find itself back in the College Football Playoff hunt — and Klubnik's name could be right at the center of the national spotlight.
'I have Klubnik this high for the same reason I had Clemson as the most likely repeat conference champion last week — he's not going to have much competition in the ACC,' Mandel wrote. 'Something will have gone terribly wrong for Dabo Swinney if the Tigers aren't playing in Charlotte in December with a CFP berth either already locked up or at stake. And if so, Klubnik, last seen throwing for seven TDs against SMU and Texas, will be The Guy there.'
Clemson has come close before, with players like Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence making serious runs at the award. Now, Klubnik could be the one to finally bring a Heisman Trophy back to Death Valley — if he can keep the Tigers winning and pile up big numbers along the way.
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