Cade Klubnik has officially entered the national spotlight.
After a breakout 2024 campaign, the Clemson quarterback is now getting top billing from one of college football’s most respected voices. ESPN analyst Greg McElroy has named Klubnik the No. 1 quarterback in the country heading into the 2025 season.
SEC Network personality Greg McElroy.Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
On his Always College Football show, McElroy broke down his list of the top 10 quarterbacks in America—and put Klubnik right at the top.
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“I thought last year he did an amazing job,” McElroy said. “Threw for 3,600 yards, 36 touchdowns against six interceptions, 63 percent completion. He also ran for 463 yards and seven more scores. He can beat you in a lot of different ways.”
Those numbers tell the story of a player who not only elevated his game, but took full command of Clemson’s offense. Klubnik was one of just two quarterbacks in the nation to throw for over 3,500 yards and rush for 400, and he finished second nationally in total touchdowns (43). His 36 passing touchdowns ranked third, and his six interceptions were the second-fewest among quarterbacks with 28 or more touchdown passes.
But for McElroy, the ranking wasn’t just about stats—it was about growth.
“He improved his touchdowns by 17 from the previous year,” McElroy said. “He had 13 touchdown passes on deep balls, the most in the country. But what really stands out is his development. He took a big leap from 2023, and I think he’ll keep climbing, especially with the weapons around him this year.”
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Klubnik faced his fair share of scrutiny during a rocky first year as Clemson’s full-time starter in 2023. But in 2024, he silenced the doubters with one of the most complete seasons in college football. And McElroy believes how he handled that adversity is just as impressive as his numbers.
“I don’t just believe in his ability. I believe in his mental toughness,” McElroy said. “When you’re the golden goose, you get criticized. But he kept his head down, came back in ’24, and became one of the best players in the country. That tells me everything I need to know about him.”
McElroy’s top 10 list featured Oklahoma’s John Mateer at No. 2, Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt (No. 3), Penn State’s Drew Allar (No. 4), and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier (No. 5). The rest of the list includes Miami’s Carson Beck (No. 6), South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers (No. 7), Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson (No. 8), Florida’s DJ Lagway (No. 9), and Georgia Tech’s Haynes King (No. 10).
Notably, Klubnik and the Tigers are scheduled to face three of those quarterbacks—Nussmeier, Sellers, and King—during the 2025 regular season.
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With the ACC title in sight and Clemson’s playoff hopes on the rise, Klubnik is no longer flying under the radar. He’s the face of the Tigers, the engine of Garrett Riley’s offense, and—according to McElroy—the best quarterback in college football.
Now, the only question that remains is whether he can finish 2025 the same way he’s started it: on top.
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