Kirk Herbstreit Names Clemson’s Cade Klubnik As Best Quarterback In Prestigious 2025 Preseason Herbie Awards During ESPN Primetime Special
Kirk Herbstreit, ESPN’s lead college football analyst and one of the most respected voices in the game, set the tone for the 2025 season on Friday night when he revealed his annual “Herbie Awards” during a primetime special. These awards, long considered an unofficial but influential preview of the college football season, spotlight the nation’s top players, coaches, and programs. In this year’s edition, Herbstreit singled out Clemson star quarterback Cade Klubnik as the preseason choice for “Best Quarterback,” a distinction that has generated immediate buzz across the college football landscape. For Clemson fans, it’s validation of their belief in Klubnik’s ability to guide the Tigers back to the top, while for national observers, it cements him as one of the most compelling players to watch this fall.
Herbstreit’s Herbie Awards are not official trophies, but over the years they’ve developed a reputation for accuracy and influence. Many of the players he’s recognized have gone on to win major national awards, become All-Americans, and hear their names called early in the NFL Draft. What makes the Herbies unique is Herbstreit’s blend of data, film study, and personal feel for the game, sharpened through decades as a broadcaster and former Ohio State quarterback. This year, his choice of Klubnik as the best quarterback in the nation speaks volumes, especially when considering the stacked field of signal-callers across the country.
Klubnik enters the 2025 season with enormous expectations, not just from his own fan base but from the college football community at large. After a breakout 2024 campaign in which he showcased his arm strength, leadership, and poise under pressure, he has become the centerpiece of Clemson’s offensive ambitions. Herbstreit highlighted those qualities during the broadcast, noting that Klubnik “combines decision-making and confidence in a way that elevates everyone around him.” In Herbstreit’s view, Klubnik represents not only Clemson’s best hope to reclaim championship glory but also the prototype of the modern college quarterback — athletic, accurate, and unflappable in big moments.
The recognition is also a testament to Clemson’s program stability under head coach Dabo Swinney. After navigating some turbulence in recent years, the Tigers appear poised to reestablish themselves among the sport’s elite. Herbstreit emphasized that while Klubnik is clearly a star, his success is intertwined with Clemson’s ability to support him with a strong offensive line, dynamic playmakers, and a defense capable of keeping the Tigers in games. Still, by naming Klubnik the best quarterback in the nation, Herbstreit sent a clear message: Clemson will go as far as Klubnik can take them, and that could be very far indeed.
What makes Herbstreit’s selection particularly interesting is the competition Klubnik faces nationally. The 2025 season features an unusually deep pool of quarterbacks, from proven veterans in the SEC and Big Ten to rising stars in the Big 12 and Pac-12. Herbstreit acknowledged the difficulty of choosing among them but stressed that Klubnik’s consistency, maturity, and ability to deliver in high-pressure environments gave him the edge. He pointed to Clemson’s pivotal wins last season, where Klubnik not only managed the offense but also created game-defining plays with his arm and legs. Those performances, Herbstreit argued, are the kind that separate a good quarterback from a great one.
For Klubnik himself, the Herbie Award is both an honor and a challenge. With preseason recognition comes heightened scrutiny, and opponents will circle Clemson on their calendars eager to dethrone the quarterback anointed by Herbstreit. Every snap will be dissected, every decision analyzed, and every game measured against the lofty standard Herbstreit has helped set. Yet for those who know Klubnik, this is precisely the type of stage he thrives on. Teammates and coaches describe him as fiercely competitive yet remarkably grounded, a leader who embraces responsibility rather than shying away from it.
The Herbie Awards special also provided a broader glimpse into the 2025 college football landscape. Herbstreit handed out honors across a wide spectrum of categories, from breakout stars to best defensive units, most intriguing coaches, and even under-the-radar programs poised to surprise. But it was the quarterback category that drew the most attention, reflecting the central role the position plays in shaping the championship picture. Herbstreit reminded viewers that in today’s game, having the best quarterback is often the difference between being a good team and a national title contender. By elevating Klubnik to the top of the list, he effectively placed Clemson in that latter category.
It’s worth noting that Herbstreit’s picks have a history of influencing preseason narratives and shaping public expectations. When Herbstreit speaks, fans, analysts, and even coaches listen. His credibility stems not only from his knowledge of the game but also from his willingness to call it as he sees it, unafraid of bucking conventional wisdom. In selecting Klubnik over other household names, he underscored his belief in Clemson’s resurgence and Klubnik’s readiness to seize the spotlight. For those who might doubt Clemson after recent playoff absences, Herbstreit’s endorsement serves as a reminder that the Tigers remain a force to be reckoned with.
The significance of the Herbie Awards extends beyond individual recognition; they reflect broader trends in the sport. By spotlighting players like Klubnik, Herbstreit is signaling where he believes the balance of power lies in the coming season. For Clemson, that means renewed national attention and heightened stakes. For the ACC, it offers the chance to showcase one of its brightest stars on a stage often dominated by the SEC and Big Ten. And for college football fans everywhere, it provides a narrative thread to follow throughout the season — can Klubnik live up to the hype and carry Clemson back into the playoff conversation?
The road ahead will not be easy. Clemson faces a daunting schedule filled with conference showdowns and potential playoff-defining matchups. Opposing defenses will scheme specifically to neutralize Klubnik, forcing him to adapt and prove himself repeatedly. Injuries, unforeseen challenges, and the natural unpredictability of college football will test both him and his team. Yet those are the very dynamics that make Herbstreit’s prediction so compelling. To call Klubnik the best quarterback now is to recognize his potential to rise above all those obstacles.
As the 2025 season approaches, the Herbie Awards serve their annual purpose of igniting debate and anticipation. Fans will argue about the selections, rival programs will tout their own stars, and players will use the recognition — or lack thereof — as motivation. In Cade Klubnik’s case, the conversation will center on whether he can justify the label Herbstreit has placed upon him. For Clemson fans, the answer can’t come soon enough.
Ultimately, Herbstreit’s decision to crown Cade Klubnik as the preseason Best Quarterback is more than just an individual accolade; it’s a statement about the direction of college football. It suggests that Clemson is back in the national spotlight, that the ACC has a player capable of standing toe-to-toe with the country’s best, and that the 2025 season could hinge on the performance of one quarterback in orange and purple. Whether Herbstreit’s prediction proves prophetic will play out over the next several months, but for now, the stage is set, the expectations are sky-high, and Cade Klubnik is officially the face of this college football season.
Herbstreit closed the primetime special with a reminder of why the Herbie Awards matter: “These aren’t just about trophies or hype. They’re about recognizing the players who define the game, who make college football what it is. Cade Klubnik is one of those players, and I can’t wait to see how his story unfolds this season.”
For Clemson, for Klubnik, and for college football fans everywhere, the countdown to kickoff just became even more exciting.
