CLEMSON – The Gator Bowl win was a momentum boost into Clemson’s offseason, and quarterback Cade Klubnik is taking the next step into 2024.

For a season full of chaos, Klubnik ended in a high note with a game-winng drive and an impressive day. He was 30-41 passing for 264 yards in the game and managed it well with the dominance of Phil Mafah on the ground.

When Klubnik plays well, it’s often in collaboration with tight end Jake Briningstool, who spoke first-hand on his development after Saturday’s scrimmage in Death Valley.

“Cade’s great. He feels more mature, more comfortable back there. He’s really doing a good job taking command of everybody. Took another step leadership wise, being more vocal. Just being a better leader overall and taking guys under his wing and leading us there. He’s doing a good job,” Briningstool said.

Klubnik is putting a heavy focus on the mental side of the game, and he’s already displayed the arm talent. During the 2023 season, he grew and eliminated the mistakes that plagued the first half of the year.

Saturday’s scrimmage was the latest example of both Klubnik and the offense’s development. The defense often dominates the day, but Klubnik’s development as a leader alongside the new weapons is changing the dynamic.

“I think he’s taken a huge jump even from the last game of the season to now mentally and pre-snap and then adjusting to it post-snap. I think he’s been doing a great job this spring and then we’re just trying to get some playmakers on the backend to make plays for him so it’s been going good,” Briningstool said.

Briningstool will head into 2024 as one of the best tight ends in the country, and Klubnik is all the better for it. The duo can galvanize this development and lead Clemson’s offense into the stratosphere in the second year under Garrett Riley.