When trying to predict how Clemson will fare in 2024 and whether the Tigers are a sensible pick to reclaim their spot atop the ACC, any pundit or fan has to first consider whether they think Cade Klubnik and the offense will take a step closer to the recent program standard.
For most of the 2010s, Clemson's offense was the class of the ACC. Seven out of the 10 seasons between 2010-2020 included the Tigers finishing among the top two in the ACC in both scoring and total offense. Even in the off years, the offense was still a strength; it contributed to 10-win seasons and an ACC championship in 2017. But since the start of 2021, the performances have slipped from that standard.
Arguably more concerning than their statistical ranking is the lack of consistency, where Clemson's offense has seemingly "found its groove" for stretches of a game or season but overall been unable to match the way previous teams carried it throughout the year.
Theoretically, Clemson's offense should take a step forward. It's the second year with Garrett Riley as offensive coordinator, and the experience everyone gained in Year 1 can only result in a more efficient operation in Year 2. Also, Clemson's offense should take a step forward because an injury-riddled group of pass catchers seems to be putting it all together and getting the influx of some impressive young talent.
But Clemson's offense will not take a step forward unless the Tigers get more consistent play at quarterback with Cade Klubnik.
Klubnik was a five-star prospect coming out of high school for a reason, and his talents have flashed in across his 23-game body of work. He led a comeback win against Syracuse as a true freshman in 2022 and later that year was named ACC Championship Game MVP. Even in a 2023 campaign that didn't live up to the preseason hype, you could point to drives or plays where everything seemed to be lining up with the five-star expectations. But the lack of consistency ultimately put a cap on the ceiling for Clemson's offense.
Heading into Saturday's season opener against No. 1 Georgia, Klubnik's confidence is high and the coaches say the experiences of last season have made him better. He and the Tigers offense face one of the ACC's best defenses every single day in practice and early in fall camp the buzz — from the secondary specifically — was how much better Klubnik looked, how the wide receiver room is loaded with playmakers who are dangerous in space and how the offense as a whole was having much more success.
Now the challenge becomes bringing that improvement -- and that growth -- to game-day performances.
"What we need to see from him on Saturday is what we've seen in practice," Dabo Swinney said earlier this week. "Take care of the ball, make good decisions, manage the game, be opportunistic with his legs when those things present themselves. Just let it rip, man, let it rip."
Riley also points to translating practice success into game performance as something that he is most excited to see when the season begins on Saturday, because while Klubnik's teammates and coaches can continue to boast of his growth and improvement, it still has to happen when the live bullets are flying.
"I feel like we're seeing a player now that's more settled in, that's more comfortable from a game management [perspective]. That's going to be the thing I can't wait to see him do compared to what we're seeing in practice where things are a little more controlled," Riley said during media availability this week. "I think he's going to take a huge step forward, but obviously he's got to go do it on game day."
When things aren't controlled, like the scenario Klubnik will face against the Bulldogs' hyper-talented defense, the Tigers quarterback has not always made the right decisions or been able to avoid the costly mistake. He may face a top-tier defense in practice every day, but there's a familiarity there that will be absent when he stares down Georgia's linebackers and edge rushers on a third-and-long. When things speed up, Klubnik needs to make the right call. No one is doubting his ability to do so, leaving execution as the final step for significant improvement.
"Being decisive within the scheme, that was something we needed to see from him coming out of the season," Swinney explained. "[We needed] just a little more consistency there, and he's done that. He's been really good. If he'll carry those things to game day, he's going to have a really good year.
"I think his poise, his confidence, his understanding of everything going into Year 2 with our scheme, it should show."
Clemson players believe in Klubnik's growth as a leader, and his coaches are encouraged by all of the improvement he has shown since a troublesome start to his first full campaign as a starting quarterback in 2023. The former five-star prospect has all of the physical tools to be an elite college football talent, and the team around him is capable of competing for an ACC championship and contending in the College Football Playoff. But unlocking any of that potential is going to start with how Klubnik performs in the biggest moments of the most competitive games.
Saturday's opener against Georgia will not be an end-all be-all final exam for Klubnik's development, but facing the No. 1 team in the country will provide several moments to test those areas where Clemson is looking to see individual improvement. Because while another year with Garrett Riley or a healthy group of pass catchers can help along the way, the key to unlocking Cade Klubnik's potential is resting at the feet of Cade Klubnik.
