In just 10 days, the Tigers will suit up to take Interstate 85 south towards Atlanta, where they’ll meet the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs for the first time in three years.
Current seniors have had their collegiate years bookended by the Bulldogs: when the border rivals last met in 2021, Georgia handed Clemson a 10-3 loss on their way to an undefeated season.
While head coach Kirby Smart’s team bulldozed its way to dynasty status with back-to-back national championships, Dabo Swinney’s Tigers struggled to gel under a less productive offense than it had grown accustomed to under the guidance of quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence and Deshaun Watson.
A new season is a new slate, however, and Clemson is ready to wipe clean recent criticisms regarding its offense. A unit is only as strong as its leader, and junior quarterback Cade Klubnik has added 30 pounds of muscle in the offseason.
In addition to physical changes, Klubnik has been putting in the necessary work to mentally fortify himself and the team for the season ahead. Defensive end T.J. Parker, who never sees the field at the same time as Klubnik, spoke about noticeable changes in his quarterback: “I’ve seen a lot. Especially during the summer when we had a lot of summer workouts, he voiced up a lot of times. And the defense was fully behind him,” he said.
“That’s what we are going to need to get to that next level is Cade being more vocal and he is doing a great job of that. He’s had a great camp. Really proud of him and the strides he’s made since last season. (I’m) excited to see him go sling it.”
Thanks to a sturdier frame and an experienced offensive line returning to protect him, hopes are high that Klubnik will find more time in the pocket to continue developing under offensive coordinator Garrett Riley’s modified Air Raid scheme. The Austin, Texas, native has been working with fellow Westlake High School graduate and Super Bowl LII MVP Nick Foles to further fine-tune his skillset as well.
“(I) called him a couple weeks ago just saying, ‘Hey, you got any tips on how to use a headset?’” Klubnik said as the NCAA gears up to introduce in-helmet communication.
“So when you have a guy like that who’s played the position that I played at the highest level you can possibly play and won on the biggest stage in the world, (I’m) just really thankful to have a mentor like that, that has kind of stood in the fire like I have.”
Although the Tigers’ biggest playmaker in recent years transitioned to the pros, running back Phil Mafah is ready to slide into Will Shipley’s RB1 slot. Should he stay healthy, the preseason All-ACC watchlist member could break 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his collegiate career.
Behind Mafah in the depth chart are Keith Adams Jr., Jay Haynes and David Eziomume. Though Clemson fans may not be as familiar with their names, Swinney is more than confident in their abilities — especially Adams.
“Keith is his own guy. He is just different. I say that all the time, but if you really watch him play, it does not take you long to figure it out. You really have to have your own category for him,” he said. “I really like our backs. Again, Keith is different. He just brings a little different pitch, if you will.”
In addition to a deep running back room, the Tigers boast an unusually healthy receiving core: Antonio Williams and Adam Randall return with veteran experience, Tyler Brown looks to add to his explosive freshman campaign, and fives-star wideouts T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco Jr. have been turning heads at camp all summer.
Speaking on team cohesion, Klubnik said, “I think they are one group. I think that is how they see each other. Whether you’ve got two freshman All-Americans like Tyler Brown-Antonio Williams, there is nobody in that room with an ego that thinks they are better than anyone else.”
With the clock ticking until the Tigers meet the preseason-No. 1 team, their biggest helper may not even be in the program: complacency. The Bulldogs have grown used to their winning ways in recent years as they churn out NFL prospects and re-up with elite recruits, and the worst thing to be at the top is comfortable.
Georgia’s slogan this year, born from a preseason analysis of how Nike has stayed successful for so long, is “assume nothing.” They are absolutely correct — should they assume they’re in for an easy fight from Klubnik and his team, they’ll find themselves heading home with tails tucked between their legs.
The next battle for the border will be hosted at the neutral Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with kickoff set for noon on Aug. 31.
