The Heisman Trophy race is officially on, and a bombshell from a national media outlet has crowned the early favorite! In an exclusive Heisman fantasy draft, The Athletic's Chris Vannini made the shocking move of selecting Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik with the No. 1 overall pick, declaring him the top contender to bring the program its first-ever Heisman Trophy!
Vannini, who correctly picked last year's eventual winner Travis Hunter with the seventh pick, adds immediate credibility to this bold selection. His rationale for betting on Klubnik is rooted in the quarterback's under-the-radar success and a monumental opportunity right out of the gate.
"There’s no obvious frontrunner for the trophy this season, but people may forget Klubnik had a great 2024 after being held out of the end zone in a season-opening loss to Georgia," Vannini wrote. "Clemson brings back its top three receivers... A good Week 1 showing against LSU could put him atop the list early."
Klubnik's 2024 season was indeed a breakout year, where he threw for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns, leading the Tigers to an ACC title and a College Football Playoff berth. Now, he'll get a primetime audience on Saturday, August 30th, facing off against the LSU Tigers, with a chance to immediately establish himself as the nation's premier quarterback.
The Heisman draft also had a heavy Clemson flavor beyond Klubnik. In the fourth round, star defensive end T.J. Parker was selected as the only defensive player in the entire draft. Analyst Justin Williams, who made the pick, cited Parker's 11 sacks in 2024 and the precedent of defensive players finishing in the Heisman top five as reason for his selection. The presence of fellow defensive titan Peter Woods is also expected to "clear some lanes to the quarterback and boost Parker's stats," solidifying his status as a top 2026 NFL Draft prospect.
Adding to the high-stakes rivalries, two of Clemson's biggest foes were also picked in the first round: LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (No. 5) and South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers (No. 6). The stage is set for a season full of drama, high-stakes matchups, and two Tigers with a legitimate shot at college football's most prestigious individual awards.