Alabama and Clemson had not yet formed the heated rivalry they solidified in the College Football Playoff era when Greg McElroy was playing ball for the Crimson Tide.
His championship win at Alabama came against the Texas Longhorns. Years later, from 2015-16 through 2018-19, Alabama and Clemson matched up in the CFP title game in three out of four seasons. The Tigers won twice.
Perhaps that’s why McElroy isn’t afraid to give props to Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik heading into the 2025 season. He didn’t feel the fire of those Alabama-Clemson matchups. Of course, McElroy is also now a prominent college football commentator, so he has to play things down the middle a bit more.
However he came about it, the former Alabama champion gave some major props to McElroy on ESPN’s “Get Up” on Thursday. He was asked who he felt the best quarterback in the nation is heading into the 2025 season, and he gave Klubnik the nod.
The development he saw from Klubnik in his junior season in 2024 was a major reason why he feels the way he does.
“It’s a bit of a projection because this is a guy that, two years ago, had the weight of the world, the expectations on his shoulders in the first year as a full-time starter, and it wasn’t good. It wasn’t great. It got better as the season went along, but it really wasn’t very good throughout the course of the entire season,” said McElroy (h/t On3). “But, last year, what a jump he made. He was fantastic. Now, I think the sky’s the limit with a veteran receiving corps and a really good offensive line.”
To McElroy’s point, in 2023, Klubnik threw for 2,844 yards and 19 touchdowns, but he also threw nine interceptions. Last season, he threw for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns compared to just six interceptions. He also found his footing as a runner, rushing for 463 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
Klubnik grew into a star before our eyes last season as he led Clemson to a 9-3 regular-season record, an ACC Championship Game win over SMU and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
Even though No. 12 Clemson ultimately lost to No. 5 Texas in the CFP, Klubnik put up good numbers, going 26-of-43 passes for 336 yards and three touchdowns with a pick.
Klubnik can get it done, and he has a great system and coaching staff around him at Clemson.
Klubnik is not only a top quarterback heading into 2025, but he’s also a top Heisman Trophy candidate. There are several star players to keep an eye on this college football season, but they’re going to have a hard time outshining Clemson’s quarterback.
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