Cade Klubnik credits DJ Uiagalelei for helping him stay composed in ACC title win

Cade Klubnik was ready when Clemson coach Dabo Swinney called his number on Saturday in the ACC Championship Game against North Carolina. Despite being a true freshman with limited playing time this season, Klubnik answered the call, stepping in for DJ Uiagalelei to lead the Tigers to a 39-10 victory.

He finished the game 20-of-24 passing for 279 yards and a touchdown, while also leading the team with 30 yards rushing and a touchdown to earn the game’s MVP. Speaking postgame on ESPN following the championship victory, Klubnik credited the advice from Uiagalelei in part for how he managed not to get rattled on such a big stage.

“I just think my peace comes from God,” Klubnik said. “It’s simple as that and I’m so thankful for all the people I get to be surrounded by every day. Whether it’s the strength coaches or the QB room, we have such a tight group. Me and DJ have such an amazing relationship and I’m just so thankful for the man that he’s been to me and the role model he’s been for me, but I love football. I just want to come out here and play the game I’ve always wanted to play.”

Clemson’s first two drives with Uiagalelei in went three-and-out, but the offense responded in a big way once Klubnik entered. The Tigers scored touchdowns on their next three drives, two of which came from Klubnik, to take a 24-10 lead into halftime.

Klubnik continued his stellar play in the second half, once again making sure to give Uiagalelei credit postgame for helping him see which areas of the Tar Heels defense he could attack.

“(DJ was) just helping me pick apart defenses and schemes that they’d been doing,” Klubnik said. “Just nothing but encouragement. I love that dude and he’s been so awesome to me since I got here. Super thankful for him.”

Despite the ACC Championship, this season didn’t quite go the way the Tigers hoped. They will miss out on the College Football Playoff for the second straight season, and could have made the top four if not for a loss against South Carolina to end the regular season.

However, Saturday’s victory give them plenty of positive momentum heading into the Orange Bowl and next season. The No. 1 quarterback in the 2022 class according to On3 Consensus, this seems to be only the beginning of Cade Klubnik’s story at Clemson.

“I never could have (imagined this),” Klubnik said. “It’s just God’s timing. I’m so excited. We’re definitely gonna celebrate, but just so excited for these guys and so excited for the seniors. In the long run, we didn’t have the season that we wanted, but for these seniors and the guys that have meant so much to me, for them to go out with a ring in the ACC Championship means a lot.”