2025 Preseason Herbie Awards: Cade Klubnik named best quarterback

On Friday, ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit hosted his annual preseason Herbie Awards. Herbstreit kicked off the highly-anticipated award show by naming Clemson‘s Cade Klubnik his preseason pick in the “Best Quarterback” category.

“When he was going through his struggles, Dabo Swinney said, ‘Hey, man, you’re our guy,'” Herbstreit said. “This is early in his career. His first year as a starter, he had all that hype, all the expectations. People were expecting him to just walk in and be a Trevor Lawrence type of quarterback. And he had struggles.

“He internalized some of that, dealt with it, walked through the adversity, and now on the back end, he’s a seasoned veteran going into his final campaign. I think he’s in position with the players they have around him, again, to have a great start. I think it’s exciting to have he and Garrett Nussmeier playing each other as experienced guys with big, big expectations, going head-to-head in Week 1.”

After a tumultuous 2023 campaign as Clemson’s starting QB, Klubnik found his footing last season. The junior QB dominated his competition, completing 63.4% of his pass attempts for 3,639 passing yards and 36 touchdowns, compared to just six interceptions.

Klubnik’s arm wasn’t his only weapon. He also notched 463 yards and seven scores in the ground game. With another offseason to improve his skills, Klubnik is expected to reach new heights this season. In fact, the senior standout is a Heisman frontrunner entering this fall.

Klubnik should have no shortage of targets to throw to in the upcoming season. Clemson is returning its top-three leading receivers from last season. Additionally, the Tigers will have one of the best offensive lines in the ACC.

Herbstreit isn’t the only one with high expectations for Cade Klubnik. Earlier this week, ESPN draft expert Todd McShay named Klubnik his No. 1 quarterback prospect in the upcoming draft class.

“Klubnik I’ve got at No. 1 because I think he’s got size, he’s got mobility, he’s got arm strength, he’s got the tools and I saw a lot of refinement from him last year,” McShay said. “What a jump from 2023 to 2024. I love his ability to drive the deep out with the verticals and the arm strength. He extends a lot of play but he does it with poise. He’s got instincts, agility and enough strength to ward off defenders.”