The college football world’s buzzing like a beehive kicked over, and Texas’ Arch Manning is the name on everyone’s lips—Heisman favorite, Paul Finebaum’s crush, the works. Fans are betting their life savings on the Longhorns’ golden boy to light up 2025. But hold up—a FOX analyst’s got a wild card, a quarterback with over 8,000 yards, who he says will outshine Manning. Who’s this gunslinger stealing the spotlight? And why’s he got the edge!

Enter Cade Klubnik, Clemson’s senior quarterback, who Joel Klatt just crowned the top dog over Manning in his July 28’s Joel Klatt Show top-10 player rankings. “I think Cade Klubnik is going to be the best quarterback in the country,” Klatt declared, tossing a grenade into the Manning hype fest. Klubnik’s 2024 was a breakout: 63.4% completion, 3,639 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, 6 picks, plus 463 rushing yards and 7 scores, totaling 4,102 yards and 43 touchdowns. That fueled Clemson’s ACC Championship and College Football Playoff run, and with 7,964 career yards (passing + rushing), Klatt’s betting on him to dominate.

Manning’s the darling of the Heisman odds at +600, with fans drooling over his Texas takeover now that Quinn Ewers is throwing darts for the Miami Dolphins. But Klatt’s not buying the hype (at-least over Klubnik), ranking Manning No. 4 and giving Clemson’s trio—Klubnik at No. 3, DE T.J. Parker at No. 8, and DT Peter Woods at No. 10—the edge. “I think he’s going to have a great chance to win The Heisman Trophy,” Klatt said of Klubnik. His reasoning? Klubnik’s third year in Garrett Riley’s offense, surrounded by a stacked roster, makes Clemson a national title contender.

Klubnik’s got the keys to a souped-up Clemson offense, returning 80% of its 2024 production. His receivers—Antonio Williams (75 catches, 904 yards, 11 TDs), Bryant Wesco Jr. (17.3 yards per catch), and TJ Moore—are a nightmare for defenses. The offensive line, led by Blake Miller and Tristan Leigh, brings back four starters, giving Klubnik time to sling it. “He’s got Garrett Riley, quality wide receivers, and four offensive linemen back,” Klatt said. “Yeah, man, like, Klubnik should be excellent.” Compare that to Manning, who’s stepping into his first full season with a retooled Texas line and new pass-catchers.

The doubters, who dogged Klubnik after a shaky 2023, are eating crow now. “This idea that he was the reason they struggled? I just disagree,” Klatt said. Klubnik’s 2024 leap—nearly doubling his touchdowns from 19 to 36 and cutting interceptions from 9 to 6—showed he’s a playmaker. His 7,128 career passing yards put him among Clemson’s elite, trailing only Tajh Boyd (11,904 yards) and Trevor Lawrence. Manning’s 939 passing yards and 13 total TDs in 10 appearances in 2024 are pretty good, but Klatt sees Klubnik’s experience and crazy weapons as the bigger threat.

Klatt’s all-in on Clemson’s potential, calling them a lock for at least a national semifinal. “I’m telling you guys. Clemson is legit and they will be great,” he said. Klubnik’s athleticism—maybe not Manning-level, but close—pairs with a veteran line and a top-5 freshman running back in Gideon Davidson. Manning’s got the hype, but his untested status as a starter leaves room for doubt. Klubnik’s battle-tested, and Klatt believes that’s the difference in a head-to-head Heisman race. While Manning’s got Texas fans dreaming of a title, Klatt’s big call on Klubnik is shaking things up. Clemson’s stacked roster and a certain quarterback’s unreal journey could make 2025 their year to shine.

Cade Klubnik’s unreal Clemson journey

Klubnik’s path to Klatt’s top billing wasn’t all sunshine and roses. After a 4-4 start in 2023, Clemson’s fanbase was ready to torch the program, with Dabo Swinney’s old-school ways and Klubnik’s play taking the heat. “It was uncomfortable,” Klubnik admitted at the ACC Football Kickoff, reflecting on his sophomore year as the starter. Fans saw the former Texas high school champ, who led Westlake to three state titles, as the guy to revive Clemson’s 2010s glory. But a 9-4 finish left some calling for his head.

Swinney didn’t flinch. Instead of hitting the transfer portal, he doubled down on Klubnik. “Development has been what we’ve always been about in my 16 years as the head coach,” Swinney said at the ACC Kickoff. That trust was gold. Klubnik exploded in 2024, jumping from 19 to 36 passing touchdowns, throwing 755 more yards, and cutting three interceptions. His 4,102 total yards and 43 touchdowns powered Clemson to an ACC title and a playoff berth, proving Swinney’s gut call right.

Klubnik’s growth came from facing adversity head-on. “I had a lot of conviction that Cade was a guy that it was important enough to him to go and get better,” Swinney said on the ACC Network. Back in high school, Klubnik was untouchable, and as a freshman, he earned ACC Championship MVP honors subbing for DJ Uiagalelei. But 2023’s struggles—his first real football hardship—forged him. Now at 207 pounds, he’s got better decision-making, fewer sacks, and sharper leadership, making him a Heisman contender.

That trust between Swinney and Klubnik is the secret sauce. “Now he’s 207 pounds…less sacks, less turnovers, more leadership, better decision making,” Swinney said. Klubnik credits Swinney’s belief for fueling his fire, turning a rough 2023 into a 2024 breakout. With a loaded offense and a third year in Riley’s system, 2025 could be Klubnik’s coronation, leaving Manning’s hype in the dust as Clemson chases a national title.