Freshman quarterback Cade Klubnik reflects on dream-like Clemson debut

Cade Klubnik was walking onto the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday night, his first snaps as a college quarterback imminent, when the moment hit him.

“Man,” he thought, “I’ve been dreaming of this for a long time.”

Two days later the true freshman was still riding the high of his Clemson football debut, a fourth-quarter touchdown drive against Georgia Tech in which he flashed his talents and, at least to some national observers, gave the No. 5 Tigers even more of a 2022 quarterback controversy.

“It was so fun,” Klubnik said Wednesday, speaking with reporters for the first time since he enrolled at Clemson in January. “It was just great to finally be out there. I’ve always dreamed of playing college football … it was really fun to be out there and live it for a little bit.”

Klubnik subbed in for starter D.J. Uiagalelei on Clemson’s final possession and executed a 10-play, 66-yard scoring drive in the Tigers’ 41-10 win.

Playing in front of a primetime ESPN audience, the former five-star recruit completed four of six passes for 49 yards and a touchdown and added a four-yard rush on his only drive of the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.

Starting quarterback Uiagalelei finished 19 of 32 for 210 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions and added 19 net yards, one rushing touchdown and one fumble on the ground.

Uiagalelei was effusive in his praise of Klubnik postgame, saying that his current backup is “going to be a baller at Clemson.” Klubnik said Wednesday that Uiagalelei’s comment was another example of a Tigers quarterback room that has “no tension” whatsoever.

“So awesome to have a guy like that have my back,” Klubnik said. “Hopefully he knows I’ve had his throughout the whole process. Throughout all the stuff he’s been through, he’s an incredible guy and also an incredible quarterback. It’s been so fun to go through it all with him.”