Clemson fans won’t have to wait long to see Cade Klubnik take the field in 2022.
As the Tigers prepare for their opening game against Georgia Tech on Sept. 5, offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter spoke to the media on Monday and was adamant that the five-star freshman is equipped to play early this season.
“Cade’s going to play. There’s no doubt about it,” Streeter said. “How much is hard to tell. We’re still a couple of weeks away. It’s always based on what we’re doing on offense and how we’re moving the ball.”
While DJ Uiagalelei remains the Tigers’ starting signal-caller, as Streeter said last week, there’s definite competition between him and Klubnik. 
Streeter added that he has a lot of confidence in Klubnik’s ability to play with either the starting unit or the second team.
According to Streeter, the skillsets between Uiagalelei and Klubnik also vary, prompting the coaching staff to install different plays for each of them based on various scenarios.
Nevertheless, since he first arrived in the spring, Klubnik has impressed Clemson’s coaching staff with the progress he’s made.
“I feel very good with where he is,” Streeter said. “There’s plenty to work on, but he’s a guy that’s continuing to get better, and that’s all you can hope for as a coach.”
In Clemson’s spring game in April, Klubnik completed 65.2% of his passes for 106 yards and one touchdown.
Since then, Klubnik has gained around 20 pounds and now stands at 6-foot-2 and 197 pounds.  
Coming out of high school, Klubnik was the No. 1 quarterback prospect in the class of 2022, according to 247Sports Composite rankings.
The talent is there for Klubnik, but just as important, his personality has given Streeter the indication he is ready to play at the college level.
“He brings energy. He brings leadership,” Streeter said. “All the guys respect him because of his work ethic and who he is as a person, and his character. There’s a ton of confidence with Cade whenever he goes in there.”