The Heisman Trophy race is officially underway, and a bombshell selection from a national media outlet has shaken up the early leaderboard. In a Heisman fantasy draft, The Athletic’s Chris Vannini made headlines by selecting Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik with the No. 1 overall pick—boldly declaring him the frontrunner to deliver Clemson its first-ever Heisman Trophy.
Vannini, who famously nabbed last year’s eventual winner Travis Hunter with the seventh pick, lends instant credibility to his surprising choice. His reasoning? Klubnik’s underappreciated rise in 2024 and a golden opportunity to seize the national spotlight right from Week 1.
“There’s no clear frontrunner for the trophy this season, but people may overlook how strong Klubnik was in 2024 after an opening loss to Georgia,” Vannini wrote. “Clemson returns its top three receivers… A standout performance against LSU in the season opener could catapult him to the top of the Heisman conversation.”
Klubnik’s 2024 campaign was indeed a breakout season, amassing 3,639 passing yards and 36 touchdowns while leading Clemson to an ACC Championship and a College Football Playoff appearance. He now steps into a marquee showdown on Saturday, August 30th, against LSU—a prime opportunity to make his Heisman case before a national audience.
Clemson’s presence in the Heisman draft didn’t stop with Klubnik. Defensive end T.J. Parker was selected in the fourth round, the only defensive player taken in the entire draft. Analyst Justin Williams, who made the pick, pointed to Parker’s 11 sacks last season and the historical precedent of defenders cracking the Heisman top five. With fellow defensive star Peter Woods poised to draw extra attention, Parker is expected to benefit, potentially bolstering his résumé as a top 2026 NFL Draft prospect.
The draft also highlighted two of Clemson’s key rivals, intensifying the drama for the season ahead. LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was selected at No. 5, while South Carolina’s dynamic signal-caller LaNorris Sellers followed at No. 6. With these fierce matchups looming, the stage is set for a season packed with marquee clashes, playoff implications, and the pursuit of college football’s most coveted individual honor.
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