Taaffe, Ewers and company aim to spoil Clemson QB Klubnik's CFP homecoming

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Clemson and Texas meet for the first time in their storied histories Saturday in the opening round of the College Football Playoff, but for some players, it'll be like suiting up in high school again.

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik is from Austin and was a star at Westlake High School, leading the Chaparrals to two 6A state championships in 2020 and 2021. To win the 2020 title, his performance helped lift the Chaps over Southlake Carroll 52-34 and current Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers.

Klubnik has several former high school teammates on the Longhorns roster, including second-team AP All-American defensive back Michael Taaffe, defensive ends Ethan Burke and Colton Vasek along with receiver Bryce Chambers and offensive lineman Connor Robertson.

Suffice it to say, Klubnik will be looking at many familiar faces on the opposing sideline Saturday.

"I think Michael and I have been playing together since the third or fourth grade. Maybe it was the first football team I was ever on," Klubnik said. "We played in a couple of state championships together, too. I was texting with him earlier last week. It's going to be cool. I have great relationships with all those guys and it'll be fun to see them."

Taaffe and Klubnik's friendship and chemistry started to blossom when the world was shutting down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Between lockdowns, cancelations and restrictions, the only thing left to do was run pass routes outdoors. Taaffe also played receiver for the Chaps as well as defensive back.

"That was nothing we could do but go throw the football around," Taaffe said. "We were out there running routes and figuring out every single avenue about how to win a state championship. That's how we kind of took off. We had nothing to do but become best friends."

When Klubnik went against Ewers in the 2020 title game, which was actually in January 2021 due to the pandemic, he was efficient in leading the Chaps to victory. He completed 18 of 20 passes for 220 yards with a touchdown and ran for 97 yards on 17 carries with two scores, helping nullify a 3-touchdown game from Ewers who also threw two interceptions to Taaffe. Ewers finished the game 23-of-39 for 351 yards.

Ewers and Klubnik spent some time together at various camps and showcases while they were in high school and college. They were both Elite 11 participants and have been part of the Manning Passing Academy as well as other events, so they've been around each other and have formed a friendship.

"We have a good relationship. He's a cool dude," Ewers said of Klubnik. "It's definitely cool to get to play each other again. It's kind of come full circle."

The connections between Texas and Clemson don't stop with Klubnik and the Longhorns from Westlake, however. Andrew Mukuba, an Austin native who went played for the LBJ Jaguars, transferred from Clemson before the season began following three years with the Tigers. Clemson freshman offensive lineman Ian Reed, who's out for the season with an injury, starred at Vandegrift High School, as well.

Typically these types of games are bound to have one or two types of friendly connections because the college athletics world is fairly small, but with accomplished athletes like Klubnik and Taaffe going against each other after being friends for most of their lives, it makes it a little more special.

As far as Taaffe is concerned, however, once they strap on helmets and meet between the lines at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, the friendship is on hold.

"I'm a competitor," he said with a smile. "No matter if it's my best friend or the guy I hate the most on this planet, my job is to take my opponent's soul."