The gamble paid off. Klubnik exploded in 2024 with more than 4,000 total yards and 42 touchdowns. He capped the year with an MVP performance in the ACC title game, tossing four scores in a 34-31 win over SMU that secured Clemson’s return to the College Football Playoff.

In fact, Sam Khan Jr. and Antonio Morales of The Athletic recently ranked Klubnik as the top signal-caller in the country heading into the 2025 college football season, with LSU's Garrett Nussmeier and South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers trailing him.

As he enters his senior season at Clemson, starting quarterback Cade Klubnik reflected on head coach Dabo Swinney's decision to stick with him despite his early struggles.