Tigers Primed for Championship Run as Klubnik Earns Preseason Player of Year Honor

Tigers’ Kade Klubnik sits at the top of ACC Preseason Awards.

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik has been named the ACC Preseason Player of the Year, highlighting the Tigers' dominance in conference predictions heading into the 2025 season. The Tigers lead all ACC schools with 11 preseason All-ACC selections, reinforcing their status as the conference favorite to repeat as champions.

PFF has recognized Klubnik as "the best returning quarterback in college football," setting high expectations for the senior signal-caller who threw for career-high numbers last season. Klubnik is coming off a career year throwing the ball, positioning Clemson for another strong offensive showing.

The Tigers will open their season with a marquee matchup against LSU on August 30, with recruiting guests continuing to grow for the season-opening clash.

Despite the accolades, CBS Sports has labeled Clemson as "underrated" in preseason AP Poll rankings, suggesting the Tigers may be flying under the radar compared to their actual potential.

With new defensive coordinator Tom Allen coming over from Penn State to reshape a Clemson defense that returns a very strong rotation of tacklers, the Tigers appear well-positioned for another successful campaign in Death Valley.