Well, Dabo Swinney and Clemson entered 2024 with playoff dreams in their grip, only to watch them crumble with a 10-4 record and a big blow against the Longhorns. Now, the fallout has reshaped the program and pushed them to a breaking point where they are preparing for a win. But with that, this season has set the stage for fresh drama. Latest tea? The spring scrimmage was where Swinney didn’t sugarcoat about Cade Klubnik’s performance, labeling it “pretty average.” A dagger in QB1’s big dreams. But even Klubnik didn’t back down. As he fired back, he made his stance clear.
It all started after the Tigers’ first spring scrimmage, after which Dabo Swinney thought that his QB was not bringing out the best in him. The reason? Because his mind was already on vacation, HC didn’t hesitate for a moment to highlight Cade Klubnik’s sloppy performance, saying, “I didn’t think Cade had a good day today. I thought he was very average.” Swinney said bluntly. “I think he checked out. I think he’s already gone to Cabo or something I don’t think he was ready to go today.” Now, if we go by Swinney’s words, Cade was focusing more on his spring break than the game.
But it looks like that’s not the case, as Clemson’s insider Jon Blau hits X with a major development on the entire mess. He reveals Cade Klubnik’s takeover of the entire situation, saying, “I wasn’t… I was mad he said that.” Looks like Cade wasn’t entirely focusing on his vacation in Cabo. Jon further adds to it, saying, “Swinney himself said his comment was overblown. Klubnik adds, ‘Just didn’t have a good day.’ Says he’s had a great spring.” Now, this drama is not that serious of a problem, and it doesn’t change anything between them. As Jon clearly mentions in comments, saying, “I think he was ‘mad’ in a joking/annoyed sort of way.”
Dabo Swinney got on Cade Klubnik after the first spring scrimmage. Said he must have been thinking of Cabo.
Klubnik: “I wasn’t… I was mad he said that.”
Swinney himself said his comment was overblown. Klubnik adds, “Just didn’t have a good day.” Says he’s had a great spring.
— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) March 31, 2025
But let’s be real: one off-beat scrimmage performance can’t deny the fact that this is the same guy who took Clemson through a playoff run. And his stats? Speaks volumes of his excellence as he recorded 3,639 yards with 36 touchdowns and just 6 interceptions. The scrimmage was expected to be light for Klubnik, and it showed. He wasn’t in his best form, and Coach Swinney didn’t hold back talking about it. “Maybe it is because he did think he was going to get a lot of reps. So, I did not think he had his best day. He was not very focused.” Clemson’s head coach wanted to see what QB2 could do but was side-eyeing his QB1 too.
It was all about giving Christopher Vizzina some valuable real-time practice. Swinney decided to give the rookie quarterback a chance to lead the team. Vizzina took most of the first-team snaps while Klubnik observed from the sidelines. Then, the moment arrived. Just as Klubnik was preparing to take charge, Vizzina, now in his third season, stepped up and seized the opportunity. Swinney put him in, and Vizzina didn’t disappoint. “CV did some good stuff. He took his first drive down and scored. It was good to see CV take advantage.” Not that great, but Swinney saw potential.
For now, Cade Klubnik is the main player for Clemson in 2025, but everyone is keeping an eye on Vizzina. The team needs him to be prepared for the season and beyond, and he’s already showing promise with 190 passing yards and a rushing touchdown. The future is approaching quickly. But is that really the case? Dabo Swinney has another crisis to control.
Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers future is in jeopardy
People may see Dabo Swinney as one of the luckiest coaches in college football due to the elite talent and impressive roster at Clemson. However, the team’s biggest issue lies within their offensive line. The struggles in the trenches have been a consistent problem, as highlighted by analysts Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Bill Connelly on ESPN College Football.
Thamel specifically mentioned the lack of depth in Clemson’s offensive line, a weakness that could jeopardize their College Football Playoff aspirations regardless of the talent elsewhere on the team. Even Rece Davis didn’t sugarcoat it, either. “Correct, relative—a relative problem. Even when they won national championships, I don’t know that even those national championship teams, you looked at and said, ‘Man, that offensive line.‘” Clemson has always leaned on skill players and elite defenses, but the big guys up front? Never been a dominant force.
Clemson’s 2024 explosive pass play rate stands at a low 10.7%, tying them for 122nd in the nation. While some blame falls on Cade Klubnik, the offensive line has also failed to provide adequate support. The statistics speak for themselves – ranking 100th in yards per play (5.2), 78th in EPA per play (-0.033), and a successful play rate of 37.5% (42nd). Even the running game has lacked excitement, with an explosive run play rate of 16.7% (50th).
This poses a significant challenge for Swinney. Despite consistently attracting top-tier quarterbacks and receivers, the team’s success hinges on the offensive line stepping up to the task.
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