Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik is no stranger to playoff victories over Texas QB Quinn Ewers. As the Tigers enter the College Football Playoff as the No. 12 seed, many fans may feel disappointed with the matchup, but for Klubnik, facing the No. 5 seed Texas Longhorns presents an exciting opportunity—especially since the game will be in his hometown of Austin, Texas. This gives the former Westlake High School standout a chance to not only play in front of familiar faces but also face off against a long-time competitor.
Klubnik, who grew up attending Texas Longhorn games, was one of the nation’s top quarterbacks in high school, earning a 5-star rating and being ranked as the No. 1 QB in the class of 2022 by 247Sports. His connection to the Longhorns goes back to his high school days, when he and his Austin Westlake team faced off against Southlake Carroll in the Texas 6-A Division I state championship game in January 2021. At the time, Quinn Ewers was the quarterback for Southlake Carroll, and the game ended with a 52-34 victory for Westlake, with Klubnik throwing for 220 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 97 yards. Ewers, now Texas’ starting quarterback, threw for 351 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney described Klubnik’s return to Austin as a “cool” opportunity, adding that the storylines surrounding the game make it all the more special. “It’s all about the game, but that’s a cool storyline for our quarterback,” Swinney said. “For him to be going to his first playoff game in Austin, Texas, where he grew up…you can’t make that up.”
As Clemson prepares to face Texas in the playoffs, fans are hopeful that history will repeat itself, with Klubnik leading his team to another victory over Ewers. If he succeeds, it will be another memorable chapter in an already eventful season for the young quarterback.
