Dabo Swinney isn’t backing off his belief in Cade Klubnik.
The former Clemson coach said the 22-year-old quarterback is set up for a long run in the NFL after Klubnik’s first action with the New York Jets, calling him a player who can stick around for years if he stays healthy.
“By the time I got to the office, he was out but I texted back and forth with him last night and just proud of him,” Swinney said, per Clemson Wire. “I mean, like I said, he’s going to be a great pro.”
Swinney doubled down on Saturday, making it clear he sees real staying power in the young quarterback.
“(Klubnik’s) gonna play a long time,” Swinney said on Saturday. “He’s a really, really talented quarterback and that’s why he got drafted and they’ve obviously seen that too right out of the gate.
So, hopefully he stays healthy. If he does, he’s going to be one of those guys, you look up and he’s played quite a while.”
Klubnik, 22, spent his college career at Clemson, where he flashed promise but never quite became the star many Tigers fans were hoping for. He showed enough to get the Jets interested, though, and now New York is hoping those tools translate into something bigger at the next level.
For Jets fans, the preseason moment was a welcome glimpse of what Klubnik might become. For Swinney, it was confirmation that the quarterback’s path in the league could be a long one.
In Other News...
Jets Projection Sends A Brutal Message About Aaron Glenn And Geno Smith
The Jets long-term outlook has drawn a sharp split between hope and timing, with ESPN analyst Seth Walder projecting a playoff return built more on what comes next than on the current setup around Aaron Glenn and Geno Smith. The encouraging part for New York is that the offense, outside of Smith, is young, which gives the roster a developmental runway that could matter if the pieces around it grow together.
Still, the projection comes with a clear warning for anyone expecting this exact regime to be the one that turns the corner. Walders forecast points to New York getting back to the postseason in 2027, and the path there does not run through Glenn as head coach or Smith as quarterback, which leaves the Jets with a future that looks promising in theory but uncertain in terms of who will actually lead it. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Rookie Omar Cooper Jr. Is Giving Fans A Reason To Pause
Isaiah Williams has been one of the more noticeable receivers in Jets training camp, but Omar Cooper Jr. has done enough to keep the conversation going. The rookie has flashed solid play and, just as importantly, a willingness to put in extra work after practice, staying on the field to catch additional passes while the competition at receiver takes shape.
Williams may have the edge for now, but Coopers approach is the kind that can narrow that gap over time. Training camp depth charts are fluid, and for a rookie trying to carve out a role, the combination of steady reps and visible dedication can matter as much as any single highlight. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Rookie D'Angelo Ponds Suddenly Has A Concerning Camp Problem
DAngelo Ponds entered camp with real buzz as a rookie cornerback the Jets expected to watch closely, but the early months of his pro career have been slowed by a calf injury that has kept him out of most of training camp and the preseason opener. For a young defensive back trying to build momentum in a crowded summer competition, every missed practice matters, especially when the team is trying to sort out who can be trusted on the back end.
The encouraging part for New York is that there has been no indication Ponds is headed to injured reserve, so the door remains open for him to get back into the mix before the regular season arrives. Still, the lack of a timetable leaves his status in a frustrating holding pattern, and it has already taken some shine off a player who was once viewed much more favorably in rookie evaluations. [Read more 🡒]
