Cade Klubnik deserved a spot in the list of finalists for the Heisman Trophy.
Deciding who should make the cut is a difficult task with around 20,000 players to choose from, but I believe it should not be solely based on statistics. You have to look at the bigger picture when giving out something as prestigious as the Heisman.
The award is given to the overall best college player in the United States, it usually goes to a quarterback, but other positions have received it too.
Versatility is one of the biggest qualities a QB can have nowadays. As the game progresses, the players have to do so too, making it not only about throwing the ball, but knowing how to control the game and taking an opportunity to rush when needed.
Klubnik had a total of 40 touchdowns during the regular season, seven of them being rushing TDs.
CLUTCH KLUBNIK!!
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) November 16, 2024
Tigers retake the lead after the 50-yard QB run!
📺 @ClemsonFB x ESPN pic.twitter.com/sOkZHMPchy
The Tigers’ QB also broke multiple school and ACC records during the season, such as most touchdowns (3) scored in a quarter during a conference championship game, most number of TDs (7) in one half since 2011 by a Clemson player, among others.
After some tough seasons for Clemson, it looks like the Tigers are down the right path to go back to their usual winning routine.
It has been an incredible season for college football overall, and the nominees for this year’s Heisman were Travis Hunter, CB/WR from Colorado, Dillon Gabriel, QB from Oregon, Cam Ward, QB from Miami and Ashton Deanty, RB from Boise State.
Some of these players had spectacular and record-breaking seasons, but again, you have to look at all of the facts to determine why this is the way it is.
Gabriel transferred to the west coast this year after spending two years at the University of Oklahoma, and three years at the University of Central Florida. Making this his 6th year in college.
Ward is in his fifth year, playing his first season with Miami after transferring from the University of Washington after their move to the Big Ten, and he initially started his career at Incarnate World in 2020.
Last year, Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix were also finalists, both were in their sixth and fifth year respectively.
Now, seniority definitely helps out in terms of breaking records, such as passing yards. If you are playing two to three years more than the average player it is common sense you will have a greater amount of passing yards.
Gabriel is currently second all-time in passing yards. In fact, the top-three have spent five or more years playing college football.
The Duck’s player also set the NCAA record this year for all-time appearances by a QB, and scored 35 TDs, seven of them rushed.
All of this does not take away the fact that the Duck’s QB had a great season, but Klubnik had a better one for this being his third year, and second season as starter.
The QB for Clemson also had more yards and less interceptions than Gabriel during the regular season, and their schedule’s strength just varied by one place.
Clemson has a lot of history behind, with Dabo Swinney being the active coach with the most National Titles under his belt, there is a lot of weight on the shoulders of the players.
Getting the starting job after your predecessor (DJ Uiagalelei) didn’t live up to the expectations of Trevor Lawrence, brings in a lot of pressure too.
Still, just last week Klubnik won his second ACC Championship Game MVP trophy, first Tigers’ player to do so since the championship game was introduced in 2005.
BRYANT WESCO JR. WITH A 43-YARD TOUCHDOWN TO PUT CLEMSON UP 14 🔥
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) December 8, 2024
The Tigers offense is cookin’ in the ACC title game 😤 pic.twitter.com/i8f9biP7Kk
It is clear the junior QB is making his way into the history books of Clemson, but his accolades should be recognized at a national level too.
This was an up and down season for the South Carolina school, after having a disastrous start against Georgia with a loss of 34-3, but the Tigers came back from it and paved their way into the playoffs.
Clemson will be going to Klubnik’s hometown to play Texas for the first round of the new 12-team playoff format, which should make for an interesting game to prove why he deserved his spot among the four finalists.
