The weight of expectation ain’t for the weak, and over at Clemson, it’s pressing down on Cade Klubnik like a fourth-quarter blitz. The Tigers just wrapped up a wild 2024 season—an ACC title, a 12-team Playoff berth, and a hard-fought but brutal 24-38 exit against Texas. But with spring ball in full swing, Dabo Swinney just dropped some news that’s got folks talking. Injuries are piling up, and Klubnik? He’s got a serious test ahead if he wants to cement his name alongside Clemson’s QB greats.
Spring practice is supposed to be about fine-tuning, but right now, it looks more like an infirmary. Dabo Swinney stepped to the mic on February 28th and gave the full breakdown. Some guys are just banged up. Others? Out for the count. “You’ll see some guys in green,” Swinney explained. “Some will work their way out of it; some will stay in green all spring, depending on their situation.”
Translation? Some players are rehabbing, and others ain’t touching live reps until summer. Look, spring ball just got a whole lot trickier with a roster that’s looking more taped-up than a worn-out playbook. Logan Anderson? ACL—out for spring. Stephiylan Green? Sports hernia—still rehabbing. Jay Haynes? Hurt in the ACC championship—no timeline. And that’s just the start.
The trenches, the backbone of any serious title-contending squad, are also feeling the pain. Walker Parks and Olsen Patt-Henry (TE) both went under the knife for shoulder cleanups, meaning their offseason workouts are more about rehab than reps. Zaire Patterson? Broken foot. Ian Reed? Still working his way back from a fall injury.
Then there’s Dabo Swinney’s son, Clay Sweeney, who literally just got out of a boot after breaking a bone in his foot. He’ll be out of full-speed drills for a while. Elyjah Thurmon is also dealing with tight RPP (rare posterior pelvic issue), keeping him from any real contact work. And let’s not forget Ari Watford—this high-profile D-end tore his ACL last season, and while he’s on the road to recovery, he’s still got a ways to go before hitting full speed.
But while injuries are a concern, the bigger storyline? The heat turning up on Cade Klubnik.
Cade Klubnik’s Stern ultimatum: Sink or Soar
Heavy is the head that wears the QB sleeve and helmet fitted with an earpiece! Klubnik ain’t a fresh-faced sophomore anymore—he’s the guy. And after a breakout 2024 season (3,600+ passing yards, 36 TDs, nearly 500 yards rushing with 7 more house calls), the bar’s literally set. Expectations ain’t just for him to run it back. Nah, Clemson needs him to level up.
One CFB analyst ain’t shy about where Klubnik stands. “Clemson’s success in 2025? It’s on Klubnik,” Locked On ACC host Kenton Gibbs said. “Which was always the thing that would get Cade in trouble. Nobody ever said, ‘Hey, he doesn’t have the arm talent’…Nobody’s ever said, ‘Oh, his legs just aren’t there. He’s a statue back there…if it’s not the first read, he’s done.’ Nobody’s ever said that about him. It’s always been, ‘Can he make good decisions?’”
Gibbs ain’t wrong. Klubnik’s growth as a passer is undeniable, but at times, he still plays like he’s forcing a square peg into a round hole. One bad read here, one mistimed throw there—it adds up when you’re trying to hang with the big boys. If he can clean that up, though? Clemson might be looking at a serious run. “His processing, his understanding of the game… it’s clicking now,” Gibbs added. “And when you mix that with the continuity of this roster? Oh boy. We could be looking at a very special season for Clemson.”
Klubnik doesn’t have to look far for a cautionary tale. Just ask Jalen Milroe how fast draft stocks can nosedive. A year ago, Milroe was in first-round talks. Now? He’s barely holding onto Day 2 projections after an up-and-down year at Bama. The message is clear—ball out, or scouts will move on. With Klubnik still eligible for another year after 2025, he isn’t necessarily in a do-or-die situation, but let’s be real—this season is his shot. Clemson’s system is built for him, and the playmakers around him are literally locked in. If he pops off, he could ride that momentum straight into first-round status. But if he struggles? Well, the NFL don’t wait for nobody.
The good news? A lot of these injuries aren’t season-ending. Green jerseys in spring mean players can still participate in some capacity. But for guys like Logan Anderson and Ari Watford, the road to recovery is longer, and their absence will be low-key felt in the early season. So here we are. Spring ball is rolling, injuries are stacking, and Klubnik is staring down the biggest year of his career. The Tigers’ roster is talented, but the ACC crown ain’t enough anymore. The Clemson faithful want more. They want a deep Playoff run. And that? That’s on Klubnik.
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