Fall Camp Preview: Taking That Next Step

Clemson’s offense has been a model of inconsistency over the past three seasons, particularly the passing game.

With the start of fall camp just days away and Garrett Riley entering his second season with the Tigers, the group is expected to take a step forward.

How much of a jump the offense takes will largely hinge on quarterback Cade Klubnik. The former 5-star was up-and-down during his first season taking the snaps full-time. At times, the game still looked too fast for him, which led to some questionable decision-making. Something not all that uncommon for an underclassmen quarterback during his first season as a starter.

Entering his second season as the guy, Klubnik not only needs to take that next step, it needs to be a big one. Head coach Dabo Swinney has recently gone on record saying that he is pleased with what he has seen from his quarterback during the offseason, but at the same time, also said he still needs to see that growth on the field of play.

“He had a great spring. He really did,” Swinney said. “We don’t put a lot on the spring game, good or bad. It’s just one of 15 days. It’s really the one day where kind of everything is diluted. We evaluate him on what we’ve seen each and every day. Even the summer is a part of it. He, in our eyes, has taken the next step that we need to see to this point. Now it’s got to go happen on the field. That’s what you want to see. That’s what it’s all about.”

In 2023, Clemson averaged just 228.4 passing yards per game, good for 60th in the nation. That number must be better if this offense is to reach its full potential.

“Obviously, our pass offense has to improve this year if we are going to get better,” Swinney said. “We have to be more explosive there. We have to improve.”

Klubnik did show some signs of growth last season, saving arguably his best for the fourth quarter in Clemson’s thrilling comeback win over Kentucky in the Gator Bowl.

On that final game-winning drive, Klubnik was 8-of-8 for 71 yards, which included a couple of clutch throws, one of those being a 16-yarder to Antonio Williams on a key third down that kept the drive alive.

More quality depth behind Klubnik on the depth chart could also prove to be beneficial. Redshirt freshman Chris Vizzina now has a year in the system, and by all accounts had a solid spring. Fellow redshirt sophomore Trent Pearman showed what he’s made of in the spring game. That kind of competition should help everyone in that room get better.

While the offense must also improve in some other areas, improvement at quarterback might be the most crucial. If Clemson is to reclaim its spot atop the ACC standings, as well as a spot in the expanded playoff, the Tigers need Klubnik to build on the success experienced on that game-winning drive in Jacksonville.

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