The Athletic Makes Shocking No. 1 Pick in Heisman Draft: Clemson QB Cade Klubnik

2025 ACC Football Kickoff | Matt Kelley/GettyImagesThe Heisman Trophy race is officially on, and a bombshell from a national media outlet has crowned the early favorite! In an exclusive Heisman fantasy draft, The Athletic's Chris Vannini made the shocking move of selecting Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik with the No. 1 overall pick, declaring him the top contender to bring the program its first-ever Heisman Trophy!

Vannini, who correctly picked last year's eventual winner Travis Hunter with the seventh pick, adds immediate credibility to this bold selection. His rationale for betting on Klubnik is rooted in the quarterback's under-the-radar success and a monumental opportunity right out of…