Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik on DJ Uiagalelei: 'I'm gonna miss that dude'

CLEMSON, S.C. – So how is life going for Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik since the departure of his mentor, DJ Uiagalelei?

"Oh man, I’m gonna miss that dude," Klubnik said. "I don’t think I really realized how much he meant to me until he left."

Uiagalelei, who was 23-6 as the Tigers’ starting quarterback over the last three seasons, entered the transfer portal on Dec. 5.

Klubnik, a freshman, replaced a struggling Uiagalelei on Clemson’s third offensive series of the ACC Championship Game on Dec. 3 and guided the Tigers to a 39-10 victory against North Carolina, completing 20-of-24 passes for 279 yards and a touchdown. He also was Clemson’s leading rusher with 30 yards on seven attempts, including a one-yard touchdown.

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Clemson coach Dabo Swinney confirmed after the game that Klubnik would be the starter in the for the No. 7 Tigers (11-2) against No. 6 Tennessee (10-2) in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 30 (8 p.m., ESPN).

"I got to talk to him last Friday," Klubnik said of Uiagalelei. "We had a great conversation. I’m super excited about what he’s got to do these next couple of months. It’ll be really fun for him."

Klubnik also expressed appreciation for the way Uiagalelei took him under his wing after his arrival on campus in January.

"So many things off the field, whether it’s encouragement right before I go in, in practice," Klubnik said. "He was consistent through it all.

"He led through it all and just stayed who he was and stayed true to his teammates and never started pointing fingers, never turned an eye, just stayed who he was and that really showed a lot."

Klubnik, who starred at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, was rated the nation's No. 1 quarterback by multiple recruiting outlets in 2021 and was a two-time USA TODAY Offensive Player of the Year.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Clemson football quarterback Cade Klubnik 'gonna miss' DJ Uiagalelei