The Gatorade Player of the Year Award is one of the most prestigious high school awards given out and is awarded to “the nation’s most elite high school student-athletes for their athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character,” said Gatorade.
On Dec. 7, Westlake High School quarterback and Clemson commit Cade Klubnik was named the 2021-22 Gatorade Texas Player of the Year. Furthermore, he is one of three finalists for the Gatorade National Player of the Year along with Tetairoa McMillan and Nick Singleton.
Klubnik is the first Gatorade Texas Player of the Year from Westlake High School. He is also the fourth Clemson quarterback commit to win the award in his respective state in the past eight years.
Klubnik has put together a phenomenal senior season after leading Westlake High School to a 13-0 record and a berth in the quarterfinals of the Class 6A-II state tournament thus far. 
Playing in 11 games this season, Klunkik has completed 71.01% of his passes for 2,486 yards according to a press release from a PepsiCo’s Gatorade account representative. He has also compiled 34 touchdowns and only two interceptions while averaging nearly 17 yards per completion. On the ground, Klubnik has also rushed 52 times for 362 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Outside of football, Klubnik has an A average in his classes, and he is a volunteer at local youth sports programs and for the Special Olympics.
To add to his already strong resume, Klubnik was named the USA TODAY Offensive Player of the Year in his junior season, the MVP of the Elite 11 quarterback competition and is a participant in the 2022 Adidas All-American Bowl. 
Klubnik is looking to continue the legacy of the great quarterbacks who have come through Clemson and help return the Tigers to the College Football Playoff. He will be joining the team next fall.
The Gatorade National Player of the Year will be announced next week.