Clemson Tigers’ fall camp is well underway, and while Cade Klubnik continues to lead the offense, there’s one area that’s raised some eyebrows, and it’s the kicking game. For a quarterback, having a dependable kicker is a critical piece of the puzzle. When drives don’t end in touchdowns, the kicker steps in to make sure points still come on the board. Although Klubnik carries a lot of experience but still, who doesn’t want a better helping hand?

And not just for the signal-caller, this crucial position is also important for the entire squad, in terms of overall performance. Recently, head coach Dabo Swinney didn’t hold back when discussing his team’s kicking situation. Speaking candidly after practice, he called out the kicking game for being “average this week, honestly,” emphasizing the need for perfection when it counts.

The kicker in question is Nolan Hauser. After a recent practice, Coach Dabo Swinney didn’t hold back when discussing the performance of Clemson’s starting kicker, Nolan Hauser. Swinney’s comments pointed to a rough outing during practice, where Hauser was 2-for-3 on field goals. “He has been average this week, honestly,” Swinney said, according to a Clemson Insider tweet. “He was 2-3 today with one just terrible kick… Last year’s kicks don’t carry over. He was 2-3, and we need him to be 3-3. The one he missed today was 100% on him.”

Clemson’s starter, Hauser, made 14 of 18 field goal attempts (75.0%) and 59 of 60 extra points (98.3%) over 14 games, totaling 113 points last season. His longest field goal was 56 yards, and he made a significant impact with a game-winning 56-yard field goal in the ACC Championship Game. For Klubnik and the offense, that kind of support system is crucial. When touchdowns stall, you count on your kicker to come in and deliver. Looks like Hauser’s got a short window to clean things up before the stakes get even higher.

Swinney’s comment speaks a lot about how high standards are expected at Clemson. And it should be the benchmark because the competition is going to be top-notch, so every position in the squad must contain a premium and skillful guy. For Klubnik, it’s important for him to have some of the best companions by his side, but amidst all this, he isn’t forgetting that he has to maintain his dominance irrespective of what kind of support he gets from his teammates.

Klubnik reflects on growth and goals as Heisman race intensifies

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik is entering his final year with a clear mission: to elevate his game to elite status. Reflecting on his journey, Klubnik acknowledged his progress, stating, “I think that I had a pretty good year last year, but I want to be elite,” Klubnik said as per Austin Hannon of 247Sports. Klubnik will be looking ahead to carry where he left off last season, and that’s what every Clemson fan wants.

In the 2024 season, Klubnik showcased his dual-threat capabilities, passing for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns, while also rushing for 463 yards and seven scores. His performance was also important in leading Clemson to an ACC Championship victory against SMU (34-31) and a College Football Playoff appearance. Despite a tough loss to Texas (24-38) in the playoffs, Klubnik’s resilience and leadership were definitely a positive for Swinney’s squad.

Looking ahead, Cade Klubnik is among the top contenders for the 2025 Heisman Trophy. But the competition isn’t going to be that easy when you have competitors like Bryce Underwood, Arch Manning, and many other stars also competing for that elite title. But that’s probably not the actual goal for any of them; the main goal is guiding their team to the national title.