Following in the footsteps of greatness is a path that few wish to face head on. For Cade Klubnik, it was always the path he envisioned himself taking.
Growing up, he watched the historic runs of Tim Tebow and Johnny Manziel, dreaming of being great like them one day. As the quarterback at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, he followed in the footsteps of legends in Drew Brees and Nick Foles. Once he made it to Clemson, Klubnik joined a quarterback lineage highlighted with names like Tajh Boyd and Trevor Lawrence.
Now, as the senior Tigers quarterback blazes his own path of excellence on the field, he has come to realize the importance of doing so off the field, too.
During his time at Clemson, Klubnik has felt empowered to excel in every facet of life and has embraced opportunities that develop him into a well-rounded person.
"I feel like I'm growing as a tremendous player, but also I feel like I'm getting set for life, and I feel like I'm at an advantage because of what I've learned here at Clemson," Klubnik said.
This culture has been built over time by head coach Dabo Swinney since 2008, when he took over as the interim head coach at Clemson. Early on, he hired former Clemson football student-athlete Jeff Davis to lead a program that is now called P.A.W. Journey, short for Passionate About Winning. Together, they have created an expansive curriculum that sets up their student-athletes for success. The four pillars — Striped, CU in Life, 5th Quarter and Overtime — are designed to prepare student-athletes for success during and after their academic and athletic careers.
"We are equipping them as men," Swinney said before the start of the 2025 season at the Atlantic Coast Conference Football Kickoff. "They learn everything from how to tie a tie, how to have a nice dinner, doing a resume, to how to do an interview. … We are creating life experiences."
Klubnik has taken full advantage of what the program provides, including the completion of a micro internship with First Rate Exchange Services in London in May 2024. As an upperclassman on the team, he also has stepped into a leadership role by serving as a P.A.W. Journey ambassador, acting as a go-to person on the team to help with the development of his teammates.
Outside of P.A.W. Journey, Klubnik has taken steps to prepare for what may come next. Earlier this year, he attended the 2025 NCAA Elite Student-Athlete Symposium for Football. The event hosts top college football players and provides programming that prepares them for a transition to the NFL. At the symposium, Klubnik appreciated learning more about what scouts look for and what it means to watch film intentionally.
While playing professional football is a dream he hopes comes true, Klubnik is committed to finishing out his time as student-athlete strong. Whenever he is ready to take that next step, he knows he will be ready, thanks to his time at Clemson.
"Coach Swinney's No. 1 goal is graduation," Klubnik said. "I think that he wants to win championships, but more than anything … after you leave, after three to four years, he wants to see you leave as a better man and as a man that's ready to take on the world."
