Did Clemson football fans really need any more reasons to be excited about the 2025 season? Probably not, but Cade Klubnik just provided another one this week.
We all know just how good Cade is and he's even considered the No. 1 returning quarterback in the country ahead of guys like Arch Manning and Garrett Nussmeier, but it's who he's studying that has fans really excited about the upcoming national title push.
According to On3 Sports' Andy Staples, Klubnik has been studying and modeling his game after one of the greatest college quarterbacks of all time.
Joe Burrow.
Clemson QB Cade Klubnik has been studying Joe Burrow and Bailey Zappe film, he tells @Andy_Staples📚
— On3 (@On3sports) June 6, 2025
“I just know I can still get better. That’s exciting — when you’re good at something and you know you can still get better.”https://t.co/ynfoVJVIsb pic.twitter.com/6uay67ddVY
Obviously adding in some Bailey Zappe film works, too, as he was one of the most prolific passers from the past decade and he dominated while at Western Kentucky. Having those two guys' film to study is a great sign that Klubnik is ready to take that next step and join the mix of quarterbacks who had elite seasons and made Heisman pushes.
Burrow won the Heisman in 2019 which was the same year he also won the national title with LSU and that's some really good film to watch -- although his Bengals film isn't too shabby either.
Klubnik seems to be on that same trajectory as Burrow so if he can take that next step in his senior year like the former LSU superstar did, Clemson should be in great shape. Heck, if the 2025 Clemson offense is even a fraction of what 2019 LSU was, the Tigers should be legit title favorites.
"I just know I can still get better" is an encouraging quote, too, because it's clear that Klubnik isn't content with where he is and he has the tools and the confidence to get better.
All in.