A Tale of Two Quarterbacks: Money vs. Loyalty in the NIL Era
Imagine this—since childhood, a kid’s been tossing footballs like it’s his destiny, training relentlessly with visions of college stardom. Fast-forward to today, and that dream has become reality. Cade Klubnik isn’t just Clemson’s QB1—he’s a rising star, a campus hero, and now, a millionaire. His latest move? A massive NIL deal with a $4 billion brand. But here’s where it gets spicy—he just casually brushed off advice from none other than Joe Burrow, a guy who practically wrote the playbook on quarterback success.
Burrow, the 2020 Heisman winner and former No. 1 overall draft pick, made waves with his take on NIL: “If you’re in high school and you’re getting offered that money, go wherever they are paying you the most.” In Burrow’s eyes, college football is business first, loyalty second. And honestly? Hard to argue. If NIL had existed during his legendary LSU run, he would’ve been raking in millions before ever setting foot in the NFL.
But Cade Klubnik? He’s not buying into that philosophy.
Klubnik Cashes In—but Stays Loyal to Clemson
Fresh off signing a lucrative partnership with retail giant Macy’s and Armani Beauty for their “Stronger With You” campaign, Klubnik is stacking endorsement deals while still preaching loyalty over paychecks. Talk about having your cake and eating it too.
On Pure Athlete, Klubnik made his stance clear:
“I’ve dreamed of playing college football my whole life, and I never dreamed of doing it to make money. I dreamed of doing it because I love the game. I want to run out in front of 100,000 fans and play—not just chase a paycheck.”
While some players chase the biggest NIL offer, Klubnik claims he never wavered in his commitment to Clemson. He didn’t even entertain offers from other schools dangling bigger financial incentives. Instead, he chose stability, coaching, and a system he believed in—something that, in today’s chaotic NIL-driven landscape, is becoming rarer by the day.
But here’s the twist—despite his “it’s not about the money” speech, he’s still one of the most marketable players in college football. His NIL valuation sits at a whopping $3.3 million, and he’s now the face of a national fashion campaign. So while he might not be chasing the biggest bag, he sure isn’t missing out on the opportunity to secure one.
The Burrow vs. Klubnik NIL Debate: Who’s Right?
Both Burrow and Klubnik bring solid arguments to the table.
Joe Burrow’s money-first approach reflects the brutal reality of college football. Before NIL, 86% of NCAA athletes lived below the poverty line while universities made millions off their talent. NIL finally gives these players the ability to earn what they deserve. For many athletes—especially those from difficult backgrounds—passing up a seven-figure deal just to “trust the process” seems absurd. Burrow knows the long game, but he also understands that today’s players don’t need to wait for the NFL to start cashing in.
On the flip side, Klubnik’s program-first mentality has its merits. If every athlete chose the highest bidder, college football would turn into an all-out bidding war with no stability. The best teams wouldn’t necessarily be built on culture, tradition, or coaching—but on which booster collective could write the biggest check. Klubnik’s path suggests that sometimes, playing for a program you believe in can set you up for success just as much as NIL dollars can.
Clemson’s Golden Boy: The Best of Both Worlds?
At the end of the day, Cade Klubnik seems to be proving that you don’t have to pick one side—you can stay loyal to your program AND get paid. While he might not have prioritized NIL money in his recruitment, he’s still pulling in major deals while representing Clemson.
This is the new reality of college football. Some players will take Burrow’s route, treating NIL like a business move. Others will follow Klubnik’s lead, betting on coaching and development. But one thing’s for sure—whether they’re stacking millions early or playing the long game, today’s athletes are finally getting what they deserve.
And in that sense? Everybody wins.
