Clemson football QB Cade Klubnik offers camp kids learning opportunity

WALHALLA — Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik reached down for a high-five.

He remembers what it was like to reach up.

Klubnik held a free clinic, the Cade Klubnik Youth Football Camp, at Walhalla High School on Saturday. He shared smiles and then some of his knowledge at Razorback Stadium with about 200 kids, ages 6 to 16. They weren’t there just for autographs and T-shirts. They were there to learn from the Clemson star.

“I know what it’s like to be that age and have the opportunity to do these kinds of things,” said Klubnik, a junior from Austin, Texas. “My dream was always to play college football, and now I’m doing it. This is when those dreams start.”

Klubnik, a football student turned teacher for a few hours at Razorback Stadium, shares some similarities with the kids. They’re still learning, still growing, still making mistakes and still dreaming of what’s next.

Last year, his first full season as a starter, he led Clemson to a 9-4 record, 4-4 in the ACC, with a TaxSlayer Gator Bowl win over Kentucky. He passed for 2,844 yards and 19 touchdowns with nine interceptions. He had the fewest yards per attempt in the ACC (6.3 yards) and recorded 28 sacks. Mixed results in an overall successful season.

“Everything gets better the more you experience and work harder,” he said. “I feel like I’m doing everything I can to help the team. This season feels a little different because I feel more like a leader.”

RECRUITMENT VICTORY: 4-star Bryce Davis commits to Clemson football, Dabo Swinney over South Carolina, Georgia

Among his Clemson teammates who helped run the camp were three offensive linemen: Tristan Leigh, Ryan Linthicum and Blake Miller. Others were defensive end Cade Denhoff, cornerback Shelton Lewis, safety RJ Mickens, wide receiver Cole Turner and wide receiver Antonio Williams.

“It means a lot to have them here,” Klubnik said. “I didn’t ask them to do that. They didn’t have to give up their Saturday. Guys saw my social media post about the camp and a couple of them asked if they could come and give back to the community.”