Cade Klubnik has made his feelings very clear on the Clemson Tigers' future at quarterback.
The Clemson Tigers have been accustomed to having Cade Klubnik under center, as Klubnik has been the team's starting quarterback the last three seasons.
However, with Klubnik now preparing to head to the NFL, Clemson's time of comfort is about to end.
The Tigers are unsure of who their starting signal-caller will be in 2026, but one possibility is Chris Denson, who will be a redshirt freshman next fall.
Klubnik himself seems wildly impressed with Denson and raved about the young quarterback with the Pinstripe Bowl looming later this month.
“I have not seen somebody develop in one year like he has since I’ve been here,” Klubnik said, via Clemson Insider. “It’s been really incredible just to see from where he was in January to where he is in December."
Denson was a three-star prospect who initially committed to Coastal Carolina but then flipped to Clemson in late 2025.
Clemson Tigers quarterback Chris Denson. Credit: Ken Ruinard / USA Today Co / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images."He’s a great athlete. He can spin it. But just the knowledge of the game," Klubnik continued. "Nobody really knows a lot of college ball until they really get here, and it’s different. It’s different at every level. But just the way that he has just come every single day — he’s just attacked every day.”
Denson will be competing with redshirt junior Christopher Vizzina as well as incoming freshmen Tait Reynolds and Brock Bradley for the job next season.
"And he’s just made so much progress," added Klubnik. "Makes quick decisions, but mechanic-wise and everything, it’s been really fun to see. He’s going to be a great player, and he’s going to be a great leader. I’m really, really excited for him.”
As it stands, Vizzina is probably the in-house favorite to come away with the starting job in 2026, but there is also a chance that Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney dips into the transfer portal and finds an answer for the club.
There is no definitive solution for Clemson at the current point in time, but it seems pretty clear that Denson has Klubnik in his corner.
The Tigers went 7-5 this year, marking their worst finish since 2010, Swinney's second season at the helm. Clemson will face Penn State in the Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 27.