Cade Klubnik shares how third season with Garrett Riley will benefit him

Cade Klubnik is entering his third year at Clemson with Garrett Riley as his offensive coordinator. Expectations are high, and the Tigers’ quarterback believes his team will reach its full potential in 2025.

It won’t be easy though, especially with a Week 1 clash against the LSU Tigers. Still, Klubnik has his offensive coordinator’s back, raving about him while speaking with the media.

“Absolutely,” Klubnik responded, regarding whether there’s another level Clemson’s offense can reach in Year 3 under Riley. “I think just, red zone, for sure. Starting off, just continually being more explosive, getting the ball downfield. We’ve got the guys that can do it. We’ve got the offensive line to protect. I think we’ve got a really good run game, that’s going to really, really help us.

“Just continuing to do those two things well, taking care of the football and you know, don’t shoot ourselves in the foot. Just take care of the ball and do what we do. I’m excited for it.”

If Clemson can operate as a well-oiled machine on offense, they can go as far as they want. The Tigers once again have College Football Playoff aspirations, and many believe they’re back in the national title conversation for 2025.

As for Klubnik’s time under his offensive coordinator in Riley, it’s been a bit of an up-down-up career. He arrived at Clemson as the top quarterback in his recruiting class and showed flashes of promise as a true freshman.

Then, as a sophomore, he struggled in his first full season as the starter. But last fall, as a junior, Klubnik broke out with a career-best campaign—completing 63.4% of his passes for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He also rushed for 463 yards and added seven more scores, leading the Tigers to an ACC Championship win and a return to the Playoff.

Now, Klubnik has one season left to build on his Clemson legacy. Regardless of how it ends, he’s grateful for everything the journey has brought so far: “So, so thankful for my time at Clemson, and it’s been really awesome,” Klubnik said earlier this offseason.

Time will tell whether Cade Klubnik, Garrett Riley, and the Clemson offense can come through and take the Tigers where they want to go in 2025. It’s going to take complementary football to get there—and Dabo Swinney’s squad is more than capable of playing it with the best.