Cade Klubnik on DJ Uiagalelei starting: ‘He deserves it 100 percent’

Speaking publicly for the first time since arriving at Clemson, five-star freshman Cade Klubnik seems to be embracing his current role with the Tigers.

Cade Klubnik seems to be embracing his current role as Clemson’s backup quarterback.

As Clemson prepares for fall camp, the five-star freshman sits behind DJ Uiagalelei, who finished last season completing 55.6% of his passes for 2,246 yards, nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Even with Uiagalelei’s disappointing 2021 campaign, Klubnik knows the potential Uiagalelei has and wants him to “ball out” this fall.

“DJ has had a heck of a spring and a heck of a summer,” Klubnik said Sunday at a Dear Old Clemson event. “He’s an amazing player and an amazing guy. It’s been awesome to just learn from him, and our relationship has definitely grown a ton; it’s been really cool. He’s definitely a really good mentor. DJ’s done nothing right now to not be the starter, and he deserves it 100 percent.”

Clemson’s entire quarterback room is “super tight,” according to Klubnik, who reaffirmed head coach Dabo Swinney’s comment that he has added on significant weight and is just under 200 pounds.

Coming out of Westlake High School (Austin, Texas), Klubnik was the No. 1 quarterback prospect in the class of 2022, according to 247Sports Composite rankings.

His potential is through the roof, but for now, all eyes are on Uiagalelei to have a bounce-back junior season.

[mm-video type=video id=01g8pah63avz887k0h6r playlist_id=01fvdd1xkgcx6zr5s5 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g8pah63avz887k0h6r/01g8pah63avz887k0h6r-134e2b331524c91de29e1683e33d42d7.jpg][listicle id=3624]