Dabo Swinney raves about Cade Klubnik’s play in Clemson scrimmage

Teams around the country are in the middle of scrimmage season right now, with most likely to have two full scrimmages and potentially a partial third scrimmage before the season begins. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik isn’t likely to get a ton of work in his team’s scrimmages, though.

A real veteran, Klubnik has already shown the Tigers coaching staff most of what it needs to know. That’s not to say he can’t continue to develop a rapport with other players in live work, but he’s firmly entrenched as the starter.

So how did Cade Klubnik look in the most recent Clemson scrimmage? Coach Dabo Swinney didn’t waste many words.

“Awesome. Awesome,” Swinney said. “I think he was 5-of-10, four touchdowns. So he was efficient. Pretty good day. I’d like for him to be 6-of-10, but we’ll push for that.”

Cade Klubnik is now two full years in as the starting quarterback for the Tigers, and the second year went much better than the first. Many wondered if he might be on the verge of losing his job in 2023.

No longer. After throwing for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns last fall, Klubnik is now viewed as a potential Heisman Trophy candidate.

Earlier this summer he was listed as one of the top contenders. Cade Klubnik was getting 9-to-1 odds to win college football’s top award.

Clemson two-way star in hot water

While the news on Cade Klubnik coming out of the team’s scrimmage was exceptional, the news on another Tigers star was not. Clemson tight end Ian Schieffelin was reportedly arrested on suspicion of DUI over the weekend, per Chapel Fowler.

Formerly on the Clemson basketball team, Schieffelin announced his plans to join the football program back in April. Schieffelin played four seasons for the Tigers’ basketball team, averaging double digits in scoring over his final two seasons. As a senior, he put up 12.4 points per game, 9.4 rebounds per game. 2.7 assists per game, shot 49.5% from the floor and 34.1% from three-point range.

That came on the heels of Schieffelin entering the NCAA transfer portal. But he stayed at Clemson and put the football cleats back on for the first time since high school. Now, Schieffelin is likely to “miss some competition to start this season as a consequence,” per Swinney.

On3’s Nick Kosko also contributed to this report.