Preseason evaluations of Garrett Nussmeier, Cade Klubnik were a huge miss for NFL Draft 'experts'

LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and Clemson Tigers QB Cade Klubnik are stuck on the NFL Draft slide. 

Entering the season, Nussmeier (6-foot-1, 205 pounds) and Klubnik (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) were considered potential first-round picks who could pilot their teams to the College Football Playoff. With both senior QBs having underwhelming seasons, don't expect either to go that high in the 2026 draft, scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.

What did draft gurus say about Cade Klubnik, Garrett Nussmeier during preseason?

Nussmeier and Klubnik were both expected to take the next step after productive seasons in 2024. Last season, the Clemson star tossed the third-most touchdown passes (36 in 14 games) in the FBS, leading the Tigers to their seventh CFP trip. 

Nussmeier, meanwhile, proved to be a solid replacement for 2023 Heisman winner Jayden Daniels (now with the Washington Commanders). He tied for the 10th-most TD passes (29 in 13 games) in the FBS and had the fifth-most passing yards (4,052). 

In August, The Ringer's Todd McShay placed Klubnik, Nussmeier and South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers in his Tier 1 of draft-eligible signal-callers.

"Klubnik I've got at No. 1 because I think he's got the size, he's got mobility, he's got the arm strength, he's got the tools, and I saw a lot of refinement from him last year," McShay said on his podcast. "What a jump from 2023 to 2024."

McShay listed Nussmeier as his No. 2 QB and compared him to former Oklahoma star Baker Mayfield (now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers). 

"Going off of the tape and seeing his ability to anticipate throws and his timing, the way he carries himself, the dude is Baker Mayfield, man," McShay said. "He just plays the game with a knack." 

ESPN's Field Yates wasn't as effusive in his praise for Nussmeier and Klubnik. However, in his preseason mock draft, he still had the New Orleans Saints taking the Clemson star with pick No. 3 and the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting the LSU standout with pick No. 16.

Cade Klubnik, Garrett Nussmeier are struggling in 2025 

Things are crumbling at LSU. The Tigers are now out of CFP contention after a 5-3 start and have fired head coach Brian Kelly. Nussmeier's play is spiraling amid the dysfunction. 

Through eight starts, he has averaged 225.8 passing yards per game (1,806 yards) after averaging 311.7 last season. He has also tossed just 12 TD passes and five interceptions. 

Clemson hasn't fired HC Dabo Swinney, but things aren't going much better for Klubnik. The Tigers are 3-4 due in part to spotty play from the QB. In six starts, he has thrown four TD passes or more only once. 

Injuries may be impacting both QBs. Nussmeier has been battling left knee tendinitis since August. Klubnik, meanwhile, sprained his ankle in a Week 7 win over Boston College. 

That hasn't stopped their draft stocks from tanking. On his updated big board, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. listed Nussmeier as his No. 7 QB, while Klubnik missed the cut. 

In the cases of Nussmeier and Klubnik, draft experts forgot that one big year doesn't necessarily mean a player will stay on an upward trajectory. In turn, they may have overrated the QBs, who may not have been elite prospects in the first place.