Clemson University has had a long and storied history of success in college football, and its quarterback position has been one of the most pivotal positions for the team’s sustained excellence. While many players have come and gone, only a few have earned a spot in Clemson’s football lore as the greatest quarterbacks in school history. This article delves into the legacy of Clemson’s quarterbacks, with a focus on who holds the title of the greatest and whether Cade Klubnik, currently poised to potentially win the school’s first Heisman Trophy, could ascend to the top of that list.
Clemson has produced several standout quarterbacks who have led the Tigers to national prominence over the years. The program’s rise to football prominence began under coach Frank Howard in the 1950s, but it wasn’t until later decades that the school began producing quarterbacks who would take the program to elite levels.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, quarterbacks like Steve Fuller helped elevate the program, eventually leading Clemson to its first national championship in 1981. While Fuller was instrumental in the program’s early years of success, it wasn’t until the 2000s and the coaching tenure of Dabo Swinney that Clemson became a college football powerhouse.
Clemson’s modern golden age of football was spearheaded by two quarterbacks whose names are synonymous with success in college football. Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence led the Tigers to national titles, with each quarterback playing a pivotal role in solidifying Clemson as one of the most formidable teams in the nation.
Deshaun Watson’s legacy at Clemson is nothing short of legendary. Arriving in 2014 as a freshman, Watson had an immediate impact on the program. In his first season, he led the Tigers to a 12-2 record, showcasing his remarkable skills as both a passer and a leader. However, it was in 2016 that Watson truly made his mark on Clemson’s history. In the College Football Playoff National Championship Game against Alabama, Watson delivered one of the most iconic plays in Clemson history — a touchdown pass to Hunter Renfrow that sealed the Tigers’ first national title in 35 years.
Watson’s performance during his time at Clemson (2014–2016) was nothing short of spectacular. Over three seasons, he threw for 10,168 yards, 90 touchdowns, and only 32 interceptions. His leadership on and off the field, combined with his uncanny ability to perform in big games, earned him the distinction of being one of the best quarterbacks in the history of college football.
Watson’s impact extended beyond the field as well. His influence on the program helped solidify Clemson’s place among the elite teams in college football. Watson’s leadership set the stage for Clemson’s continued dominance in the ACC and its rise as a consistent College Football Playoff contender.
Trevor Lawrence arrived at Clemson with immense hype as one of the top recruits in the country. Like Watson before him, Lawrence immediately proved he was up to the challenge of leading the Tigers to the next level. As a freshman in 2018, Lawrence helped lead Clemson to a perfect season and a national championship, demolishing Alabama 44-16 in the title game. Over his three years at Clemson, Lawrence continued to demonstrate why he was considered one of the best quarterbacks in college football history.
Lawrence’s tenure at Clemson (2018–2020) was marked by consistency and brilliance. He threw for 10,098 yards, 90 touchdowns, and just 17 interceptions. His combination of size, arm strength, poise, and football IQ made him an elite quarterback prospect who would eventually go on to be the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
What made Lawrence so special at Clemson was his ability to elevate the play of his teammates. He led by example, kept his composure in high-pressure situations, and was simply dominant in big games. His 2020 season, in which Clemson lost only one game and made it to the College Football Playoff semifinal, further cemented his legacy as one of the best quarterbacks in school history.
The story of Cade Klubnik is just beginning, but the hype around the young quarterback is palpable. A 5-star recruit from Texas, Klubnik was a highly anticipated prospect when he signed with Clemson in 2022. In his first season as the starting quarterback in 2023, he showed flashes of brilliance that indicated he was capable of leading Clemson back to national prominence.
As Klubnik heads into the 2025 season, there is growing belief that he has the potential to become the next great quarterback in Clemson history. His ability to make all the necessary throws, his composure in the pocket, and his leadership skills suggest that he could be the key to Clemson’s continued success in the years to come. The prospect of him winning Clemson’s first Heisman Trophy only adds to the excitement surrounding his future.
If Cade Klubnik were to win the Heisman Trophy, it would mark a significant milestone for both his career and for Clemson as a program. As of now, Clemson has never had a player win the prestigious award, despite the success of quarterbacks like Watson and Lawrence. Klubnik’s ability to carry Clemson to a potential national championship while earning Heisman recognition would place him in rare company among college football’s all-time greats.
However, would winning a Heisman Trophy elevate Klubnik above Watson and Lawrence in the all-time Clemson quarterback rankings? The answer to that question is complex and depends on various factors, including his performance in big games, his statistical production, and the overall success of Clemson during his time as the starting quarterback.
To truly be considered the greatest quarterback in Clemson history, a player must meet several key criteria:
- Individual Excellence: Statistical dominance and individual awards, like the Heisman Trophy, are certainly important factors. Watson and Lawrence both amassed impressive numbers, and their national championship victories only add to their legacies.
- Big-Game Success: Perhaps the most critical factor in determining a quarterback’s legacy is his ability to perform in the biggest moments. Both Watson and Lawrence delivered when it mattered most, with Watson’s national championship win in 2016 and Lawrence’s undefeated season and national title in 2018 standing out as defining moments.
- Program Impact: A quarterback’s impact on the program as a whole is another significant factor. Watson’s leadership helped elevate Clemson to a new level, while Lawrence continued that legacy. Klubnik, if he wins a national title and Heisman, would continue this upward trajectory for the program.
- Longevity and Consistency: While short-term success is critical, a quarterback must also maintain a level of consistency over the course of his career. Watson and Lawrence both had multiple seasons of elite-level play, and their sustained excellence was key to Clemson’s rise to the top.
Clemson’s quarterbacks, led by Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence, have redefined the standard for excellence at the position in college football. Watson’s 2016 national title and Lawrence’s 2018 undefeated season have set the bar incredibly high for any future quarterback to match.
If Cade Klubnik can win a Heisman Trophy and lead Clemson to its next national championship, he would certainly be in the conversation as one of the greatest quarterbacks in school history. However, whether he can surpass the legacies of Watson and Lawrence depends on how he performs in the biggest moments and how his overall career unfolds.
In the end, it is likely that Watson and Lawrence will always be considered the two greatest quarterbacks in Clemson history due to their achievements, leadership, and the lasting impact they had on the program. Nevertheless, Cade Klubnik’s future is bright, and if he fulfills his potential, he could join the ranks of Clemson’s elite and carve out his own legacy as one of the all-time greats in the program’s history.
