5 things you may not know about Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik
CLEMSON – Cade Klubnik’s first starting assignment as Clemson’s quarterback will be a big one – Tennessee in the 2022 Orange Bowl.
Klubnik earned the start after coming on in relief of DJ Uiagalelei midway through the first quarter of the ACC Championship Game on Dec. 3. Klubnik promptly led the Tigers to a 39-10 victory and a seventh ACC title in eight years.
After that game, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney confirmed that Klubnik would be the starter when Clemson (11-2) battles Tennessee (10-2) on Dec. 30 (8 p.m., ESPN) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Here are five things you may not know about Clemson’s freshman from Austin, Texas:
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Klubnik enjoyed a perfect high school career
Klubnik starred at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, where he guided the Chaparrals to state championships to cap both his junior and senior seasons. He even started four games as a sophomore, when Westlake also won a state title.
His record as Westlake’s starting quarterback? 34-0.
Klubnik learned under a quarterback guru
Klubnik’s coach at Westlake was Todd Dodge, who played quarterback at Texas from 1982 through 1985.
Dodge went on to an extensive career as a coach at both the high school and college levels. In addition to Klubnik, his high school products include Sam Ehlinger (Texas, Indianapolis Colts), Chase Daniel (Missouri, Los Angeles Chargers), Greg McElroy (Alabama, New York Jets) and his son, Riley Dodge, who played at North Texas and McNeese State and is now the head coach at Southlake Carroll High in Texas.
Klubnik ran and jumped with the best
Klubnik was a high school standout in track and field as well.
He clocked a best time of 21.8 seconds in the 200 meters and a 49.9 in the 400.
“He was fast,” Dodge said. “He anchored our 4x400 relay team.”
Klubnik also excelled in the field events, recording personal bests of 43 feet, 4 inches in the triple jump and 20 feet, 10 inches in the long jump.
Clemson had its claws in Klubnik early
Klubnik had 30-plus college offers before narrowing his choices to a final four that included Texas, Florida and North Carolina, in addition to Clemson. Texas A&M, where Klubnik’s parents went to college, came on the scene late and was unable to sway him.
“Clemson already has their claws into him by then,” Dodge said. “He was always talking about Clemson and they were at the top of his list even without an offer. Clemson had an offer out to a kid (Ty Simpson) who ended up committing to Alabama, and as soon as he committed they offered and Cade accepted within a week.”
Klubnik’s brother helped pave his way
Klubnik’s older brother, Reed, was a standout wide receiver at Westlake, setting the school’s career records for receptions (152) and receiving yards (2,412). Reed went on to be a two-time first-team All-Ivy League selection at Yale, where he owns the school’s single-season receiving mark with 1,143 yards in 2018.
Now he’s imparted much advice to Cade.
“It helped me a ton, especially over the past year, to have him as a mentor and somebody to go to when I needed questions answered,” Klubnik said. “To have him just a text away has been really fun.”
Reed also attended several Clemson games this season.
“It has been awesome to have him there,” Klubnik said.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: 5 things to know about Clemson football starting QB Cade Klubnik
