Joel Klatt Didn't Hesitate When Naming the Best QB in College Football
There are a handful of teams that enter the 2025 season with a real shot at winning the national championship, and one thing most have in common is a talented quarterback to lead them.
Of course, there has been a lot of debate about who the best player at the position truly is, and in a video posted to "The Joel Klatt Show: A College Football podcast" YouTube channel, the Fox Sports analyst named his top QB.
Advertisement
'My No. 1 quarterback going into next season in 2025 is Cade Klubnik,' Klatt said. 'I'm a big believer in Clemson, I'm a big believer in Clemson, mainly because I think Cade Klubnik is going to be the best quarterback in college football next year. … It's going to be really tough for me not to go into next season and say, like my Heisman pick before the year, is not Cade Klubnik."
Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2).© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
There's no doubt that in 2024, Klubnik did put up impressive numbers for Clemson, appearing in 14 games and completing 308-of-486 passes for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 148.2 passing efficiency rating.
However, those numbers will need to see a boost if he wants to live up to the high expectations he has had since coming out of high school in 2022, where On3 Industry Rankings placed him as the No. 1 quarterback and No. 18 player in the nation.
Advertisement
Klatt isn't the only one with high regard for Klubnik either, as ESPN even placed him at No. 1 when naming "10 early Heisman Trophy contenders" going into 2025.
Now, it will just remain to be seen if he can help Clemson reach what is thought to be some ambitious goals, as ESPN BET gives them the best odds of winning the ACC (+115) and the eighth-best odds to win the national championship (+1400).
Related: UCLA Makes Surprising Quarterback Move on Wednesday
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
CBS Sports identifies Clemson's run game as what the Tigers must address for 2025 success
CBS Sports identifies Clemson's run game as what the Tigers must address for 2025 success Clemson enters the 2025 season with expectations as high as ever — and for good reason. The Tigers return more production than any team in college football, according to ESPN. Dabo Swinney also made rare moves in the transfer portal to strengthen the top of the depth chart and brought in former Indiana head coach Tom Allen to take over the defense. But despite the talent-laden roster, CBS Sports points to one remaining question: the run game. With Phil Mafah off to the NFL and Will Shipley gone as well, Clemson's backfield now features a less experienced group. Freshman Gideon Davidson, redshirt freshman David Eziomume, and third-year sophomore Jay Haynes — who is coming off a torn ACL — are expected to carry the load. Davidson enrolled early and impressed this spring, while Haynes averaged 6.9 yards per carry last season before the injury. Eziomume saw time in the Playoff but didn't record a touch. During the CFP semifinal loss to Texas, with Mafah limited and Haynes out, Adam Randall — a converted wide receiver — broke off a 41-yard run and finished with 44 yards on four carries. Jarvis Green and Keith Adams Jr. also saw light action, but the room enters 2025 unproven. Even with Cade Klubnik expected to lead one of the more pass-oriented Clemson offenses in recent years, offensive coordinator Garrett Riley will need short-yardage consistency if the Tigers are to contend for a national title. Clemson kicks off the season on August 30 against LSU (7:30 p.m., ABC), a matchup CBS cautioned LSU to approach with focus amid growing pressure on Brian Kelly and the Tigers to start fast after five straight season-opening losses. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Braves Ace Spencer Strider Searching for Answers as Struggles, Team Skid Continue
Braves Ace Spencer Strider Searching for Answers as Struggles, Team Skid Continue originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The former Clemson Tigers' ace, Spencer Strider that hitters once dreaded, the flamethrower who mowed down batters with a record-setting pace? He's currently a man searching for himself on the mound. And the Atlanta Braves, mired in a deepening slump, are feeling every bit of his pain. Advertisement Strider's latest outing was another gut punch, as the Arizona Diamondbacks tagged him for three home runs in an 8-3 drubbing Tuesday night at Truist Park. The loss marks another frustrating chapter in the right-hander's quest to recapture the dominant form that made him a sensation before a torn UCL in his right elbow derailed his 2024 campaign. "Command without stuff is batting practice," a visibly frustrated Strider said postgame. "That's about what I offered up today. I've got to be better, just to give us a chance." The D-backs certainly treated it like BP. Ketel Marte launched two missiles off Strider within the first three frames, and Corbin Carroll added his own solo shot in the fifth. All told, Strider bled five earned runs on six hits over five innings. The numbers are grim: a 5.68 ERA through four starts this season, ballooning to 6.43 in his three outings since returning from a right hamstring strain that further complicated his comeback. "It just doesn't come back overnight," Braves skipper Brian Snitker lamented. "I wish it would. I know [Strider] does, but it's a tough process." Mar 29, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (99) in action against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Tough is an understatement, especially with the Braves' season spiraling. Atlanta has now dropped a staggering nine of their last 12 contests. They're looking up from a 10-game deficit in the NL East, now glancing nervously over their shoulder as the last-place Marlins are only four games behind. The slide is so pronounced, the unthinkable is being whispered: Could the perennial contenders actually become sellers at the July 31 Trade Deadline? Advertisement "We've got to win games, and when it's my turn to pitch, I've got to give us a chance to win," Strider stated, shouldering the responsibility. "If I can't do that, then I don't know what value I'm providing, besides getting reps." This is a far cry from the Strider who was arguably the game's most electric arm from 2022-23, leading the Majors in strikeouts despite starting his rookie season in the 'pen. His record-breaking 281 strikeouts in 2023 seemed like just the beginning before an elbow injury (a compromised UCL due to a bone spur, not a full tear, leading to an internal brace procedure with a 12-month rehab) halted his ascent after just two starts in 2024. A brief return to Atlanta's rotation on April 16 this year was quickly stymied by that hamstring strain just five days later, costing him another month. There are glimmers, albeit faint. His four-seamer averaged 95.2 mph Tuesday, a tick up from last week. The slider, his signature weapon, still induced whiffs on 8 of 14 swings (57%) from Arizona, and an even better 60% against the Phillies previously. Advertisement But the command, or lack thereof, is killing him. An elevated changeup to Marte in the first. A 3-0 "cookie" to the same batter in the third. Another middle-middle fastball that Carroll deposited into the seats. "Regardless of the hitter in the big leagues, they're going to do damage on those," Strider acknowledged. "I thought there were some streaks where I was really executing pitches and commanding the ball the way I wanted, but it doesn't take but one mistake to change the game." Drawing inspiration from teammate Chris Sale, who battled back from his own early-season struggles to post a dominant 1.42 ERA in his last seven starts, Strider remains hopeful but realistic. He knows it's on him to force the change. 'I don't think things are just going to get better on their own,' Strider said. 'I think you've got to intervene deliberately... I do have the ability and the knowledge to make things better in the next five days.' Advertisement The Braves, and their fanbase, are desperately hoping he's right. The clock is ticking, on Strider's return to form, and potentially, on Atlanta's season. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Clemson Product Eli White Carves Out Key Platoon Role in Braves' Outfield
Clemson Product Eli White Carves Out Key Platoon Role in Braves' Outfield originally appeared on Athlon Sports. From the ACC battlegrounds at Doug Kingsmore Stadium to a defined role in the Show, former Clemson Tiger Eli White is making his alma mater proud. The 30-year-old outfielder's recent torrid stretch at the plate has not only turned heads but has now officially earned him a significant spot in Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker's lineup strategy. Advertisement Snitker announced that White, a right-handed hitter, will get the starting nod in left field against southpaw pitchers. This move creates a strategic platoon, with the left-handed hitting Alex Verdugo stepping in against right-handers. Verdugo himself has been productive against righties, hitting .309 with eight extra-base hits and a .760 OPS. Jul 9, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Braves pinch hitter Eli White celebrates after hitting an RBI triple in the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports But the big news for the Clemson faithful is White solidifying his place. This opportunity is a direct result of White seizing his moment. While primarily filling in due to injuries and other roster moves, he's slashed an impressive .291/.368/.447 against right-handed pitching, good for a potent .814 OPS with nine extra-base hits in 87 plate appearances. An eye-popping eight-game hitting streak, during which he launched two homers and drove in 12, essentially forced his way into more consistent playing time. "Yeah, it's been special," White said of his recent performance, a stretch he feels has been "a long time coming." Advertisement "My plan when we got Ronald (back) was, it's gonna obviously push Eli off of right field," Snitker explained. "And I think I felt like we'd have kind of a good right-left option in left. Honestly, I'm not going to rule out anything." That role now looks like the strong side of a left-field platoon. It's a testament to White's impact that the Braves shifted their outfield plans, having previously optioned both Jarred Kelenic and Bryan De La Cruz. For White, the Easley, S.C. native who starred at Clemson before being drafted by the A's in 2016, it's a significant step. As Snitker commented on players who find their stride, "You never know when these guys might click." Right now, the Clemson Tiger is clicking, and the Braves are banking on his continued production as they strategically deploy him in their pursuit of wins. Related: Hunter Renfrow Making 'Huge Strides' in Panthers Camp After Health Battle This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
