Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik has established himself as both a top returning player for the 2025 season and a significant figure in the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape. With an estimated NIL valuation of $2.8 million, Klubnik has secured several high-profile partnerships this offseason with brands like Rhoback, Celsius, and Collegiate Legends, the latter of which created a custom action figure for him.
Klubnik’s college career, which began as a backup before he took the starting role in 2023, has coincided with the rapid evolution of NIL. Having been a high school senior when the new rules were introduced, he views himself as a “guinea pig” in this new era of college sports.
Despite his off-field success, Klubnik maintains that his primary motivation remains his passion for football. “I didn’t grow up dreaming to play college football to go make money,” he told reporters. “I grew up dreaming to play college football to go play college football and run out in the stadium of 100,000 fans. That’s what I dreamed of.”
To keep his priorities in order, Klubnik strictly separates his athletic and business commitments. He explained that all his NIL activities are handled during the offseason months of May, June, and January to ensure they never interfere with his focus on the game. “Football is No. 1 for me,” he affirmed.
While acknowledging that NIL is now an integral part of the sport, Klubnik believes the fundamental approach for athletes should remain the same. “We’ve just got to continue to just love the game,” he said. “That’s really what it comes down to… Just enjoy the game every single week and go play free and make it fun.”
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