AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Longhorns will take on the ACC champion Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoff, marking the first time Texas and Clemson have ever faced off on the football field. And while the matchup itself obviously carries enormous weight nationally, it will also include a fascinating local storyline.
The matchup will feature the return of Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, an Austin native who quarterbacked local powerhouse Westlake for two seasons.
Klubnik’s 86 touchdown passes and 7,390 passing yards are both Westlake school records, notably better than the stats of Drew Brees, Nick Foles and Sam Ehlinger – all former Westlake quarterbacks who made it to the NFL.
While at Westlake, Klubnik led the Chaps to two state championships in 2020 and 2021. Notably, in the 2020 Class 6A Division 1 State Championship, Westlake faced off against Southlake Carroll, a North Texas powerhouse quarterbacked by current Longhorn Quinn Ewers.
The two put on an offensive showcase throughout, as both Klubnik and Ewers accounted for well over 300 yards of offense. Klubnik passed for 220 yards and a touchdown on 18-of-20 passing, while also running for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Ewers threw for 351 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions on 23-of-39 passing. Westlake won the game 52-34.
Many of Klubnik’s old Westlake teammates also currently play for the Longhorns, including defensive starters Ethan Burke and Michael Taffe. Sophomore wide receiver Bryce Chambers was also on both Westlake squads.
A former Clemson teammate of Klubnik also plays for the Longhorns. Safety Andrew Mukuba spent the first three years of his college career at Clemson before transferring to Texas last December.
The Texas-Clemson matchup will take place at 3 p.m. on Dec. 21 at Darrel K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The winner will then take on Big 12 champion Arizona State in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 1.