How Cade Klubnik turned into Dabo Swinney's Heisman-calibre leader
Image Source: ABC Columbia
The appearance of Cade Klubnik and his incredible transition as a quarterback with championship quality has made the Clemson Tigers a realistic national championship team going into the 2025 college football season.
The development of the junior signal-caller, coupled with what most people believe to be the most imposing defensive front in the country, provides head coach Dabo Swinney with the building blocks he has not had in a long time.
Cade Klubnik's quarterback mastery elevates the Clemson Tigers' championship aspirations
Cade Klubnik has developed to the point where he is the biggest asset of Clemson University at the offensive position, where the team previously has been an unknown quantity. His breakout third season saw him set the third-largest single-season completion total in program history, and his 36 passing touchdowns are second all-time among Clemson Tigers quarterbacks.
The moment that would define the Birmingham, Alabama native came in the College Football Playoff first round against the University of Texas when he shredded the Texas defence to the tune of 336 yards and three touchdowns, the most productive offensive performance Texas had surrendered all season.
Cade Klubnik is following the same path that the championship quarterback development of Clemson had during the golden age under Swinney.
His percentage of completion and accuracy have made him contend with the preseason Heisman Trophy, the first time a quarterback in the Tigers dons one since Trevor Lawrence. The backup cast features backup Christopher Vizzina, who has performed well in the spring practices, and the upcoming recruit, Chris Denson, who is a three-star prospect and has great upside.
Peter Woods and T.J. Parker anchor nation's most dominant defensive line
In 2025, the Clemson Tigers' defensive line is the most terrifying in college football history, headed by the outstanding duo of Peter Woods and T.J.
Parker. Woods, the 300-pounder defensive tackle who lost 20 pounds during spring training, going from 320 pounds, had three sacks and one forced fumble in limited action in 2024. Size, speed, and technique make him potentially the first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to the NFL scouts.
His record-breaking season last year made T.J. Parker the best pass rusher in college football, as he led Clemson University in sacks (11) and forced fumbles (6), tying the school record.
The defensive end and his relentless pursuit and strip-sack talent have been compared to former Tigers great Clelin Ferrell. On the side of this elite pair is Will Heldt, a transfer student at Purdue University who is old enough to be an experienced player, and DeMonte Capehart, who comes in with his sixth season to offer leadership and depth.
Their defensive line has been touted as the next big unit in the vein of Clemson Power Rangers that took the country by storm between 2016 and 2018 with Clelin Ferrell, Dexter Lawrence, Christian Wilkins, and Austin Bryant.
That team anchored three College Football Playoff appearances and two national championships and set the blueprint of how to play defense line on your way to a championship.
Also Read:
College Football Playoff expansion impacts mid-major programs' championship hopes
Clemson Tigers fans can follow the team's 2025 campaign beginning with their season opener, with games broadcast on ESPN and ACC Network throughout the fall. The combination of Klubnik's quarterback excellence and the defensive line's dominant potential positions Dabo Swinney's program for their first national championship appearance since 2020, when elite play at these positions traditionally translates to postseason success.
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