Cade Klubnik 2026 NFL Draft Player Profile

Clemson had an up-and-down 2024 season en route to its first College Football Playoff appearance since 2020. The Tigers hope to return to the mountaintop of college football with 16 returning starters in 2025. One of those returning starters is Cade Klubnik, who has improved each year. If Clemson is going to win another ACC Championship and go on a deep playoff run, it starts with Klubnik. The highs and lows of the Tigers 2024 season largely lined up with his performances.  Klubnik projects to be among the top quarterbacks in a strong 2026 class. Is he a first-round caliber prospect and a future franchise signal-caller?

2026 NFL Draft: Cade Klubnik Player Profile

Background

Klubnik was a five-star recruit and ranked second among quarterbacks in the 2022 class behind Drew Allar. After his high school career at Westlake(Texas), he committed to play for Dabo Swinney at Clemson. He sat behind D.J. Uiagalelei for most of his freshman year. Uiagalelei was benched early in the 2022 ACC Championship.  Klubnik completed 20 of 24 passes for 279 yards and two total touchdowns, leading the Tigers to a 39-10 victory over North Carolina. His first start came in the ensuing Orange Bowl against Tennessee. Clemson lost 31-14 and Klubnik completed 30 of 54 passes for 320 yards and two interceptions.

Klubnik took over in 2023 with new offensive coordinator Garrett Riley. He completed nearly 64% of his passes for 2,844 yards, 19 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.  2024 was Klubnik’s best season to date, passing for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Klubnik’s production as a runner saw a leap along with his passing, rushing for 463 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

Strengths

Athleticism is a big part of Klubnik’s game, as he threatens defenses with his legs just as much as he does with his arm. He excels at finding rushing lanes when they are open, and has the speed to beat defenders in a foot race. There are aspects of Kubnik’s game that can be questioned, but toughness is not one of them. He routinely lowers his shoulder as a runner to power through contact, and also shows that he’s not afraid of getting hit in the pocket. Klubnik has plus arm strength, winning downfield with both touch and velocity. His combination of arm talent and mobility allows him to hit throws on the run regularly. Klubnik consistently hits his layups in the short passing game and does a good job finding the soft spots in zone coverage.

Weaknesses

Klubnik is on the smaller end of quarterbacks, measuring in at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds. This can be cause for injury concern, especially with Klubnik’s more physical play style. There are times when he tries doing too much and forces a dangerous throw, in particular when facing pressure. His ball placement is hit-and-miss, which can limit opportunities for his receivers after the catch. While he is good at escaping pass rushers, he can abandon the pocket prematurely. This, along with working through progressions better, will help maximize Klubnik’s potential as a passer.

Overview

Klubnik’s evaluation is a mixed bag, with physical traits that are impressive, but also multiple areas of concern. With how stacked this upcoming quarterback class looks to be, his draft stock is very volatile. He has been on an upward trajectory ever since he got to Clemson, and it’s possible we have yet to see the best version of Klubnik. His frame leaves a lot to be desired, but he more than makes up for it with great scrambling and a very good arm. Being more consistent with accuracy and avoiding risky throws under pressure is the next step for Klubnik to take as a quarterback.

His play style is similar to Baker Mayfield’s, with both displaying toughness and not being afraid to take chances downfield. He is most comfortable out of shotgun formation, which is a staple of Riley’s air raid offense. Clemson looks to be a serious national championship contender, with many pieces returning in 2025. This includes an experienced wide receiver room led by Antonio Williams.  Klubnik’s floor as a prospect should be a day-two pick, but if he can put it all together in his senior year, then it’s likely he doesn’t make it past the first round.