Paul Finebaum Doesn't Hold Back About Clemson, Cade Klubnik
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The Clemson Tigers and head coach Dabo Swinney will enter the 2025 college football season as one of the top championship contenders in the country.
After making an improbably run to the College Football Playoff last season, the Tigers are hungry for more. They have a stacked roster, led by standout quarterback Cade Klubnik. On paper, they should be able to make some noise.
Klubnik is widely considered to be a candidate to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. It's way too early to know whether he will live up to that hype or not, but the hype is there for a reason.
Cade Klubnik #2 of the Clemson Tigers looks to pass the ball during the second half of the ACC Championship game against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Bank of America Stadium on December 07, 2024...
Cade Klubnik #2 of the Clemson Tigers looks to pass the ball during the second half of the ACC Championship game against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Bank of America Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. More
Photo byHaving Swinney on the sideline will always make Clemson a tough team to beat. He has formed the Tigers into a yearly contender, although there have been a couple of disappointing years in recent history.
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Despite suffering through those disappointing years, Clemson appears to be back.
Paul Finebaum, a notable college football analyst for ESPN, spoke out with a strong message about the Tigers. He did not hold back about Clemson and Klubnik.
"I think they're a sure thing to get back," Finebaum said. "They may even be a legitimate shot at winning a title. They have in mind the best quarterback in the country in Cade Klubnik, they have an elite defense with perhaps three (first round) picks on there.
That wasn't the end to his opinion. He continued on, talking about how Swinney appears to be back on top of his game.
"And Dabo Swinney, even though he's fallen off the face of the earth for a while, he's back now and I think this is his best team since his last national championship appearance in '19."
Read more: Urban Meyer Doesn't Hold Back on Deion Sanders' Colorado Culture
Those are some strong words from Finebaum. He has always had a soft place in his heart for the Tigers, but naming them a top-tier championship contender is a bold statement.
Last season with Clemson, Klubnik finally had his breakout season. He showed the superstar talent the Tigers have been waiting to see from him, completing 63.4 percent of his pass attempts for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. In addition, he racked up 463 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
Everything is in place for Clemson to be a potential championship contender. That quest will begin on August 30 when they take on the LSU Tigers.
For more Clemson Tigers and college football news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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