Find the quarterback.
That’s the blunt assessment from USA TODAY columnist Matt Hayes, who believes Clemson’s recent slide traces directly to instability and regression at the game’s most important position.
Clemson closed the season 7–6, its worst finish since 2010, capped by a flat 22–10 loss to Penn State Nittany Lions in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. For Hayes, the result was less an outlier than confirmation.
“It’s always the quarterback,” Hayes wrote. “Fix the quarterback, Dabo. And fix Clemson.”
Production Gap Is the Story
Current starter Cade Klubnik finished the season ranked No. 67 nationally in ESPN’s QBR metric. He completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 2,943 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions — numbers that failed to match his breakout junior season, when he threw for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns during Clemson’s ACC title run.
Hayes argues the contrast is stark when viewed through Clemson’s recent quarterback lineage.
“DJ Uiagalelei and Cade Klubnik are not Trevor Lawrence and Deshaun Watson,” Hayes wrote. “Or even Tajh Boyd.”
The result, he suggests, is a program that no longer separates itself offensively — a sharp departure from Clemson’s championship years.
Recruiting and Development Under Fire
Hayes’ critique goes beyond one player. He questions Clemson’s quarterback recruiting and development strategy since Lawrence left for the NFL.
Since that point, Clemson has signed Klubnik, Christopher Vizzina, Chris Denson, Bubba Chandler (who chose professional baseball), and walk-on Trent Pearman.
“If any of those other than Chandler were capable of winning games,” Hayes wrote, “they would’ve played over the last three seasons.”
Hayes also points to coaching decisions, including the promotion of Brandon Streeter to offensive coordinator and the subsequent hiring — and firing — of Garrett Riley, whose tenure ended after Clemson’s offense finished 71st nationally in scoring at 27.2 points per game.
Portal Pressure Builds
With Riley dismissed and another offensive reset underway, Hayes believes the next move is inevitable: a serious foray into the transfer portal at quarterback.
He specifically cited portal targets such as Brendan Sorsby, Josh Hoover and Byrum Brown as potential difference-makers, while also referencing elite high school quarterbacks like Dylan Raiola, DJ Lagway and Aidan Chiles as examples of the level Clemson must reach again.
“Want to see Swinney and Clemson among the elite of college football again?” Hayes asked. “Watch what happens if they land one of those players.”
The Bottom Line
For Hayes, Clemson’s recent struggles aren’t mysterious. They’re structural — and solvable.
But only if the Tigers finally get the quarterback position right.