Klubnik vs. ACC QBs, Clemson’s Future Might be in the Portal

Following Saturday’s scrimmage at Memorial Stadium, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney praised the play of his quarterback in the two-hour scrimmage.

According to Swinney, Cade Klubnik had “an outstanding day” leading the offense. If Clemson wants to get back to the College Football Playoff, it will need a lot of outstanding days from the junior.

Does he have it in him? Of course he does.

Klubnik’s potential is through the roof. However, the question is, has he progressed enough to lead the Tigers to an ACC Championship.

“We evaluate him on what we’ve seen each and every day, and even this summer (is) a part of it,” Swinney said. “He, in our eyes, has taken the next step that we need to see to this point. Now it’s gotta go happen on the field, and that’s what you want to see. That’s what it’s all about.”

Clemson is hoping to bank off Klubnik’s experience against a league that has just six starting quarterbacks that have played against ACC competition. In all, including DJ Uiagalelei at Florida State, 10 of the 17 starting quarterbacks in the conference have either transferred from another school, are first-time starters or new to the league.

“It’s always great when you’re not starting over, and you’ve got a guy that’s grown, had some experience under his belt,” Swinney said about having Klubnik back for another season. “I mean, Cade is a great young man, a great talent. He’s just blossoming right before our eyes physically and mentally, also as a leader.

“We’re excited about year two with him as our starter. Also, with (offensive coordinator) Garrett [Riley]. It will be Cade’s first time having the same coach, same system. I think we all expect to see some great growth from that.”

In a league full of new quarterbacks, where does Klubnik fit in? Does he deserve to be ranked near the top with Miami’s Cam Ward? Is he better than Uiagalelei, is old teammate?

Who knows.

Heading into the season, Ward is the media’s pick to win ACC Player of the Year. Perhaps behind him is Virginia Tech’s Kyron Drones, Georgia Tech’s Haynes King and SMU’s Preston Stone. One can make an argument that Boston College’s Thomas Castellanos and Syracuse’s Kyle McCord are ahead of Klubnik on the ACC’s quarterback list.

That makes Klubnik number seven on this list, behind five former transfer quarterbacks and one who is a new member to the league.

Though Swinney likes the fact he brings back a quarterback who has only played for Clemson, it is easy to see where the game is headed. When Klubnik’s career is over at Clemson, whether that is this coming January or January of 2026, Swinney will have to decide on his quarterback situation.

Is he content with building his quarterback through high school recruiting and progressing through the system, or will he turn to the transfer portal and battle to get a big-name quarterback or two?

With Clemson losing out to big-time quarterback recruits that want to go where the money is, Swinney might be forced to turn to the portal to find his future quarterback.

I know that is what he probably does not want to do, but he might not have a choice in the matter. But he might discover, like Miami, Georgia Tech and others have learned the last few years, you might just find that quarterback that gets you over the hump.

My list of the ACC’s Quarterbacks from 1 to 17