When Clemson made the bold move to hire offensive coordinator Garrett Riley from TCU, head coach Dabo Swinney showed that he was ready for a change. Breaking away from his usual practice of promoting from within, Swinney went out and secured the hottest name in college football. With Riley now at the helm, Clemson's offense is poised for a dramatic transformation.
At the forefront of this revolution is sophomore quarterback Cade Klubnik. Hailing from Texas as a highly-touted 5-star recruit, Klubnik showcased moments of brilliance in 2022. He came off the bench to lead Clemson to victory in the ACC Championship Game, but later struggled, along with the rest of the team, in the Orange Bowl loss to Tennessee. As we enter the 2023 season, the Riley-Klubnik partnership has sparked high expectations, with BetMGM listing Klubnik at +1400 to win the prestigious Heisman Trophy, placing him among the front-runners.
Riley has already established himself as a quarterback whisperer. In 2021, after transferring from Oklahoma, Tanner Mordecai thrived under Riley's guidance as the starting quarterback for SMU. Mordecai's impressive performances earned him a spot on the Second Team All-AAC, leading SMU to an 8-4 record. He even set a school record with 7 touchdown passes in a single game against Abilene Christian, which he later surpassed with 9 touchdown passes against Houston.
In 2022, Riley's first season at TCU, he worked his magic on Max Duggan. Duggan blossomed into a Heisman Finalist, showcasing his skills under Riley's tutelage. Despite not starting in week one, Duggan led TCU to the College Football Playoff and became one of the four Heisman Trophy Finalists. With an impressive 3,698 passing yards and a total of 41 touchdowns, Duggan proved to be a force to be reckoned with.
Now, it's Klubnik's turn to shine under Riley's guidance. He possesses all the physical attributes and the pedigree to be an elite quarterback. The question remains: Can Klubnik become the first Clemson player to bring home the Heisman Trophy? The stage is set, and all eyes are on this rising star.
