Joel Klatt explains why Cade Klubnik is the top quarterback in college football, top-five player overall

Ohio State had the top-two in the top-ten ranking of players for this upcoming season in college football by Joel Klatt at FOX Sports. However, Clemson had the most in total on the list with three, including the top quarterback in the country with QB Cade Klubnik.

On his show on Monday, Klatt released the Top-10 rating, which included a trio of Tigers with Klubnik at No. 3 as well as DE T.J. Parker at No. 8 and DT Peter Woods at No. 10, all of whom represented the program last week at ACC Media Days in Charlotte. Klubnik, though, was the highest-ranked among them and, as the top quarterback on the list, was someone who Klatt said could be a favorite for the Heisman this fall.

“I think Cade Klubnik is going to be the best quarterback in the country,” said Klatt. “I think he’s going to have a great chance to win The Heisman Trophy.”

Based on last season’s step by him, many are expecting Klubnik to be one of the best quarterbacks in the sport this season. That’s coming off the breakout by him a year ago where Klubnik posted 63.4% completion for 3,639 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and six interceptions, bringing him to a total of 4,102 yards and 43 touchdowns combined when accounting for his rushing too. That led Clemson to have a Top-20 scoring offense and, with that, a return to both the ACC Championship and the College Football Playoff.

Now, in his senior year and third season as the Tigers’ QB1, Klubnik isn’t just experienced in this offense himself. The rest of the unit is around him too with WRs Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr., and TJ Moore as well as Blake Miller, Tristan Leigh, Ryan Linthicum, and Walker Parks on the offensive line all back.

“He grew last year in major ways and now, all of a sudden, he’s going to be – not even all of a sudden. Now he will be a third-year starter for the third year in the same system. So now he’s going to have a third year with Garrett Riley, the offensive coordinator,” said Klatt. “I know that they’ve got questions at running back. I understand that, but they’ve recruited well, they’ve got a top-five running back in the country coming in. He’s got Garrett Riley, quality wide receivers, and I believe four offensive linemen back. Yeah, man, like, Klubnik should be excellent.”

“This idea that, like, he was the reason they struggled? I just disagree with,” Klatt continued. “He finished with 36 passing touchdowns and seven rushing touchdowns, just threw six interceptions so he takes care of the football. He’s athletic – maybe not (Arch) Manning but athletic, maybe not (Trevor) Lawrence but athletic. And he’s got great players in front of him – four senior offensive linemen, all played before. Quality wide receivers. Good, dynamic, young albeit, running back. And he’s going to have a great defense.”

With all that, including these three players in his top-ten, there’s a reason why Klatt is, like a lot of other analysts, high on Clemson this season. Klubnik, as a Heisman candidate, plus all they’ll have on offense as well as on defense could have the Tigers as a national title contender again in what Klatt expects to be a deep appearance by them in the CFP.

“I’m telling you guys. I’m telling you guys. Clemson is legit and they will be great,” stated Klatt. “I will be very surprised if they’re not, at a minimum, in the national semifinal.”