Story by
How Dabo Swinney analyzed Cade Klubnik's mistakes in Clemson QB's 'really good' scrimmage overall
- Story by
- How Dabo Swinney analyzed Cade Klubnik's mistakes in Clemson QB's 'really good' scrimmage overall
CLEMSON — Clemson football quarterback Cade Klubnik received a lesson in the team's first preseason scrimmage Aug. 8 at Memorial Stadium.
Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said the defense had a call that caught the offense "off guard." The unit was in man coverage but "switched it off" to confuse Klubnik, who threw an apparent pick six to defensive back Misun Kelly.
Advertisement
"I'm gonna put that more on defensive execution, and that's one of those things that Cade will have to learn from," Swinney said.
Swinney said Klubnik also had a negative play in the red zone, where he took a sack that "can't happen." Other than those miscues, Swinney thought Klubnik, who is entering his third full season as Clemson's starting quarterback, had a strong first scrimmage, throwing a touchdown to wide receiver Antonio Williams
"Really good, had a good day," Swinney said. "He had the one early but bounced right back, made some big plays. (He) had a really good first-and-goal on the 'nine' sessions, made a couple of elite throws."
The scrimmage was closed to the media.
Advertisement
Klubnik will try to make up for his mistakes at Clemson's final scrimmage on Aug. 14, but his play is a reason No. 6 Clemson can dream big this season. He is a preseason Heisman contender and a projected first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
He returned for his fourth season after throwing for 3,639 yards (10th in the nation) with 36 touchdowns (third) and six interceptions and rushing for 463 yards last season to help Clemson win the ACC championship and return to the College Football Playoff.
Klubnik was among multiple Tigers players who returned for 2025 instead of going to the NFL, including Willams and offensive tackles Blake Miller and Tristan Leigh . Clemson also retained talented underclassmen like wide receivers Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore and kept third-year offensive coordinator Garrett Riley.
MORE: 7 Clemson football impact players for 2025 who barely played last season including Tyler Brown
Advertisement
Dabo Swinney comments on left guard, punter position battles
Collin Sadler and Harris Sewell are battling for starting left guard, looking to replace Marcus Tate. Swinney envisions the Tigers using seven offensive linemen this season. Those names include Ryan Linthicum, Walker Parks, Elyjah Thurmon, Miller, Leigh Sadler and Sewell. Four of those players were end-of-year starters in 2024.
"I don't see any form or fashion that those first seven guys aren't going to play," Swinney said. "It's just too close."
Swinney added there has been no separation in the battle for punter despite fourth-year player Jack Smith, the only scholarship punter on Clemson's roster, exiting the spring the leader. The competition is between Smith, walk-on Will McCune and kicker/kickoff specialist Robert Gunn III.
Advertisement
"I need them to be consistently good, not occasionally great," Swinney said. "... Some really, really good, (punts) at times, from all of them, and there's a miss here or there."
All are looking to replace three-year starter Aidan Swanson as Swinney did not consider adding a punter out of the transfer portal.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Dabo Swinney: Clemson football coach on Cade Klubnik scrimmage errors
