Clemson Tigers starting QB 2024: Who will start for Dabo Swinney's team in Week 7?
Coach Dabo Swinney Clemson Tigers are looking forward to defeating the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in Week 7 of the college football action. This all-ACC matchup takes place at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium.
Swinney needs to look no farther than their starting quarterback, Cade Klubnik. But is he available for the Week 7 clash?
Will Cade Klubnik continue to start for the Clemson Tigers?
Yes, barring any late injuries and setbacks, Cade Klubnik will be under center for Saturday's game. Klubnik, who is in his third year with Clemson and his second straight year as a starter, has played all games for the Tigers this season.
As a freshman in 2021, Klubnik threw for 697 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions with a 61% pass completion rate. The following year, the signal caller completed 290 of 454 passes for 2844 yards, 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
This year, the junior quarterback has already thrown for 1219 yards, 14 touchdowns and two interceptions on a career high 64.3 pass completion rate.
Dabo Swinney praises Cade Klubnik for his improvement as rusher
Cade Klubnik is better known as a pass-heavy quarterback. However, this season, he has made sure to be better at his run game.
In his freshman season, he ran for 139 yards and scored two touchdowns. The following year, he increased his carry rate as he went on to register 182 rushing yards on 125 carries while reaching the endzone four times.
Moreover, this season, having scored four rushing touchdowns already, he has matched his season high number from last season just five games deep into the season.
Talking about his evolution as a rusher, Dabo Swinney said:
“He’s rushed 185 yards in the last four games,” Swinney told reporters on Tuesday. “We had some sacks in the Georgia game. That took some yards, but he’s rushed for 185 yards in four games, and that’s more than he rushed all last year. The game has slowed down.
"He just plays at a different pace now than what he was as a first-year starter, and again, you saw it in the latter part of last year, [Klubnik] starting to take a step in that direction," he added.
Apart from the Georgia Bulldogs game where the Clemson Tigers offense could only put up three points, the Tigers' offense haven't been given much trouble in their matchup since. The Wake Forest aren't expected to challenge the No. 10 Tigers and it remains to be seen if there's upset on the cards.