Clemson-bound quarterback stopping off in San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO — Austin Westlake’s Cade Klubnik is in the perfect spot as a remarkable high school football career draws to a close.
Klubnik is spending his final week as a high school quarterback practicing with the country’s best players in preparation for the AllAmerican Bowl (noon Saturday at the Alamodome).
“It’s just so fun to be surrounded by all this talent and to be around these guys and these coaches,” Klubnik said after Wednesday’s afternoon practice at the Alamodome. “They are the best high school coaches in the country, and to be with them daily has been just awesome.”
The morning after Saturday’s game, Klubnik is scheduled to arrive at Clemson, where the five-star recruit will enroll early and participate in spring practice for the Tigers.
“It’s a dream come true,” Klubnik said. “I’m so blessed to be in this position and that I’m just getting to soak it all in with my buddies and my family.”
Klubnik came to San Antonio three weeks after leading Westlake to its third straight state championship with a 40-21 victory over Denton Guyer in the Class 6A Division II title game at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium.
That was the last ride for Westlake coach Todd Dodge, who retired after the game. Dodge, arguably the best coach in Texas history, won 248 games in 23 seasons and captured seven state championships. He won his four other state crowns at Southlake Carroll in the 2000s.
“I was so happy that we got to go out with coach Dodge for a final state championship,” Klubnik said. “He deserved it with everything he’s put into all of my teammates. He put in so much time and effort. We played for him this whole year.”
Earlier this week, MaxPreps named Klubnik its national player of the year. He passed for 3,251 yards and 43 touchdowns as part of a 16-0 season in 2021. He added 471 yards and 10 scores on the ground.
“He was our leader, our field general who refused to have a bad day,” Dodge said of Klubnik after the state championship win. “He’s one of those human beings — and we may know a few of those in our life — who is very rare. And the thing about Cade that I will always respect and remember is that he had a lot of personal accolades, and not one time did he ever let it in the way of his love for his team.”
After splitting time as a sophomore, he became Westlake’s full-time starter in 2020. Even with only two seasons in that role, Klubnik became the Chaparrals’ alltime leader in passing yardage (7,426) and passing touchdowns (86), surpassing the likes of Drew Brees, Nick Foles and Sam Ehlinger.
Westlake went 20-0 over the two seasons with Klubnik as the full-time starter. He passed for 6,746 yards and rushed for 1,054 in that time.
Klubnik said playing Saturday will help him transition to college.
“The speed of the game goes up and up the higher up you go in football,” Klubnik said “I think it will help me a ton once I get to Clemson. Seeing how fast some of these dudes are. It doesn’t compare to Westlake. They are the best athletes in the country.”
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said on signing day last month that Klubnik will compete for the starting spot. D.J. Uiagalelei, who led the Tigers to a 20-13 win over Iowa State in the Cheez-It Bowl, is the team’s only returning scholarship player at quarterback.
“We’ll hit the ground running,” Swinney said during a news conference Dec. 15, the first day of the early signing period.
Clemson’s appearance in the Cheez-It Bowl marked the first time in six years that the Tigers hadn’t been in the College Football Playoffs. Clemson’s victory put them at 10-3.
“It’s funny, because some people think a 10-3 season is bad,” Klubnik said. “That’s what I love to have, where a 10-3 season is not good. That’s the kind of program where I want to be, because most programs would say, ‘Man, we had a great year’ and celebrate. Everyone is coming down on Clemson. I’m excited to see what we have next year.”