Cade Klubnik: No. 1 Overall or Day 2 Flier?

When Cade Klubnik committed to Clemson as the No. 1 quarterback in the 2022 recruiting class, expectations were sky high. Hailing from Texas powerhouse Westlake High School and fresh off a decorated high school career, many believed he would be the next great Clemson signal-caller in the lineage of Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence. Yet instead of instant stardom, Klubnik’s path has been defined by ups, downs, and steady, but slow development.

Entering his fourth season (and third as Clemson’s starting quarterback), Klubnik has an opportunity to shift the narrative. With improved mechanics, flashes of high-level athleticism, and an offense that’s starting to find its footing under Garrett Riley, the 2025 season will be a defining moment for Klubnik. The question heading into summer scouting is clear: Has Cade Klubnik shown enough to warrant first-round consideration in the 2026 NFL Draft?

Cade Klubnik: Coveted Five-Star Prospect and Background

When it comes to quarterbacks who entered college football with high expectations, Cade Klubnik is no stranger to the spotlight. Klubnik is a former five-star recruit out of Westlake High School in Austin, Texas which has produced former NFL quarterbacks Drew Brees and Nick Foles.

Klubnik arrived at Clemson with immense hype. As the No. 1 quarterback in the 2022 recruiting class, many viewed him as the natural successor to DJ Uiagalelei, expected to return Clemson to its Trevor Lawrence–era dominance.

The early career trajectory didn’t match the anticipation. Despite flashes, Klubnik’s time at Clemson has been inconsistent, raising questions about his long-term projection. However, as we enter the 2025 season, he has a new opportunity to rewrite the narrative with a strong 2025 season.

Freshman and Sophomore Years

Cade Klubnik began his career as a backup to DJ Uiagalelei in 2022, but sporadic appearances showed enough promise to earn him the starting nod late in the season, including the ACC Championship Game. In that performance, Klubnik had 279 yards, one touchdown, and a win over North Carolina. This win only fueled the expectations heading into 2023.

His sophomore campaign was his first season under new offensive coordinator Garrett Riley. That season was a bit of a rocky one.

Klubnik struggled with consistency, Clemson’s offensive line battled injuries, and the Tigers lacked explosive playmakers on the outside. As a unit, Clemson started the season 4-4 before getting hot down the stretch. The result? A lukewarm 9–4 record, which by Clemson’s standards, simply isn’t good enough. Early season struggles and late season flashes left more questions than answers heading into 2024.

2024 Season

In his junior season, Klubnik showed growth, even if the Tigers didn’t fully return to national prominence. His mechanics improved, his accuracy flashed, the arm talent was on display, and Clemson’s offense became more consistent. However, while his composure improved from 2023, the lapses under pressure still cropped up and his processing still needs to take additional strides.

2024 Statistics

• Passing: 14 games, 303-of-486 (63.4%), 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, six interceptions, 7.5 YPA, 148.2 passer rating
• Rushing: 119 carries, 463 yards (3.9 YPC), seven touchdowns, seven fumbles (losing one)

Klubnik took a solid step forward in 2024. While not eye-popping statistically, he showed improvement in key areas. Klubnik finished the season with his strongest performance against an elite Texas defense in the College Football Playoffs. But one game shouldn’t be enough to get a quarterback taken in the first round, so what does the tape say?

Looking at the Tape: Areas of Confidence for Cade Klubnik

Stature & Frame

At 6-foot-2 and a listed 210 pounds, Cade Klubnik has a solid, athletic build which fits within the modern day NFL quarterback spectrum even if it does not quite qualify as “prototypical”.

That said, Klubnik’s frame can be filled out further with room to add another 5–10 pounds of functional mass without compromising his mobility. His frame won’t be the reason he rises up draft boards. However, it won’t be the reason he falls either. It’s a solid, NFL-ready frame with upward room for growth.

Ball Handling

Klubnik has made notable improvements in his ball security from his sophomore to junior seasons. In 2023 he had a troublesome 10 fumbles, losing four. During his junior season those statistical marks improved to seven fumbles with only one being lost.

More importunely however, I saw increased attention to detail from Klubnik; where he had improved two-hand discipline, had a more higher and tighter ball carriage, and was much better using his body as a shield to limit defenders exposure to the ball. This increased attention to detail was evident when he was in the pocket, under pressure and where in space.

Mental Processing

When it comes to mental processing, Klubnik has a sound foundation. He reads defenses pre-snap, identifying man and zone concepts. He also deciphers coverages, and locates weaknesses in the defense to exploit post-snap. His command at the line of scrimmage regarding blitz recognition and adjusting protections has also improved year after year.

Klubnik is at his best when the picture is clean, his first read is defined, and the picture is clear pre-snap. When these circumstances are true, Klubnik has a quick trigger, timely execution, and is decisive in his decision making.

There have also been flashes of advanced processing. Klubnik can identify receiver-defender leverage and use excellent ball placement to overcome tight coverage or throw receivers open downfield.

There are instances of full field reads, throwing with anticipation, and delivering throws with locations that save receivers from “hospital shots”.

In run-pass option (RPO) and quarterback option concepts, Klubnik is well versed. He is an efficient processor when reading the conflict defender. He has quick footwork, clean hands at the mesh-point, excellent timing, and an effortless stroke to deliver accurate throws. He is highly effective in these rhythm based RPO, read option concepts. As these concepts continue to expand at the NFL level, Klubnik’s experience and efficiency in these situations will be a valuable asset to his offense.

Pocket Presence

While not perfect, Cade Klubnik’s pocket presence has had some high-level flashes during his time with the Tigers. Klubnik demonstrates poise and toughness in the pocket with pressure in his face with a willingness to sacrifice his body to deliver throws downfield. He also has ability to read the trenches along the offensive and defensive lines while keeping his eyes downfield.

Klubnik uses this skill to identify stunts and games on the defensive line and uses subtle movements to manipulate the pocket or evade pressure. Finally, when navigating or escaping the pocket, he does a good job of always keeping his eyes up scanning for outlets downfield.

Pocket Mobility

When Klubnik is patient in the pocket, he does a good job diagnosing rush tracks and is fairly natural at navigating away from pressure. When patience is excised, he will slide or roll away from inside pressure or climb the pocket when hard edges become soft.

When pockets get muddy, he has an innate ability to locate a crease, use his body dexterity to get skinny, and leak through with a slippery rushing style that is hard to get a clean grasp of.

Rushing Ability

While Klubnik isn’t a dynamic dual-threat quarterback in the mold of a true runner, he is a willing and functional athlete who needs to be accounted for in the run game. He brings a good blend of athleticism, straight line speed, burst, and competitive fire through contact. He also has good vision, whether he has free access yards, in space, or when leveraging RPO concepts or man coverage.

Overall, Klubnik is not a true game-changing threat on the ground. It also isn’t a centerpiece to his game. However, it is a complementary layer to his skill set that helps move the chains and keep defenses honest.

Playmaking

While Klubnik prefers to play within the structure of the offense, there is a creative element to his game when plays breakdown rooted in his mobility and creativity.

Using these elements, he creates second reaction throws for his offense. He often cashes these opportunities in finding a receiver late in the scramble drill or weaponizing his legs as a runner. Though he is not a playmaker at heart, the capabilities are present when the moments present themselves.

Mechanics

Mechanically, Klubnik brings a fairly clean operation, especially in his upper body operation. He has quick, clean, and compact release with efficient sequencing. He is a more natural rotational at his core, but can also become a linear thrower when he wants to generate additional velocity.

When on the move, Klubnik does a good job of job of contorting his body, working downhill, and squaring his shoulders to the line of scrimmage which has helped him become an accurate passer on the run.

Arm Talent

Klubnik’s composite arm talent falls in the “plus” category with more than enough juice to make NFL-caliber throws to each level of the field. Where Klubnik’s arm talent stands out isn’t in raw power. Rather, it’s in his blend of functional arm strength, velocity, off-platform capability, and the ability to throw with varying tempos.

He has the arm strength to allow himself full-field access to stress the defense on the vertical plain.

Klubnik’s arm power allows him to generate the velocity needed to attack outside the numbers, on intermediate drive throws, and when testing tight coverage or between zones of a defense.

Klubnik is also impressive when making throws off-platform. Whether he’s on the move, faced with pressure, or has to throw around a defender he does a good job manipulating his arm angles to create throwing windows for himself.

Finally, Klubnik has shown the ability to change the speed and tempo of his throws to manipulate the trajectory and drop angles downfield.

These skills alone do not jump off the page. However, in totality, they are enough to build on as a prospect. With these tools, Klubnik does need to possess the strongest arm. He can be accurate in a variety of different contexts — though he’s noticeably more accurate and efficient when he’s throwing in the pocket, from a stable base, and within the confines of the offensive structure.

Accuracy

Klubnik’s accuracy profile is solid overall, though not yet a defining strength. He delivers catchable balls to all three levels of the field. He generally places balls inside receivers’ catch radius and sets them up for YAC. In RPO and quick game concepts, his ball placement is solid, even with the ball handling required at the mesh-point.

In the intermediate game his accuracy flashes with well placed digs, outs, and back shoulder throws ripped inside the receivers frame.

When expanding to his deep ball, Klubnik is excellent using touch on vertical routes with receiver-friendly trajectories and drop angles allowing receivers to track and get underneath the ball.

In the realm of accuracy, Klubnik really impressed with how he was able to use his pacing on throws to attack layer throws between hook/curl defenders and deep safeties.

Klubnik’s accuracy is good and will play at the NFL level. It may not be a defining trait, but it is an asset. With another year of the same offense and familiarity due to a vast majority of his supporting cast returning, I expect another jump in this category in 2025.

Intangibles

Cade Klubnik checks many of the boxes evaluators look for in a potential franchise quarterback. He’s a former five-star recruit who has handled the pressure of being “the guy” at a major program with maturity and resilience. He carries himself with confidence, but keeps the work ethic, preparation habits, and willingness to learn that do not go unnoticed.

When asked about Klubnik, head coach Dabo Swinney said, “the kid has won his entire life,” began Swinney. “He’s an unbelievable competitor. He loves to prepare. He’s passionate about it. He is a leader, he has a great football IQ, and he has an amazing skill set.”

While still young and developing, his maturity and temperament give him a strong foundation for success in the NFL. Given his physical tool, mental grasp, and outstanding intangibles, this paves a runway for the development of Klubnik into a potential long-term starter in the NFL with continued growth.

Cade Klubnik: Areas for Development

Stature

While 6-foot-2 doesn’t disqualify him from being a high-end prospect, it’s on the lower end of the spectrum for teams. It also appears on the field that he might be a touch smaller than his listed height.

The concerns around shorter quarterbacks relates to their ability to see the full field and have clear vision of all throwing windows behind their offensive line. This appeared to have an effect on Klubnik to a degree as he has a tendency to play the game from his toes in the pocket.

Additionally, at 210 pounds, Klubnik could benefit from adding another 10 pounds of functional mass. The added weight would help him survive rushers in the pocket, power through more arm tackles, and better absorb contact when fighting for additional yardage. This is especially helpful given his tendency to extend plays and expose himself to hits.

All this to say, no matter how strongly you feel about a prospect, there remains a physical requirement to succeed in the NFL. Cade Klubnik clears the threshold, but not by much. His true measured height and weight before the combine will be important numbers for him. I believe that both will check in at numbers I am comfortable with, but it is worth mentioning as not all NFL front offices may feel the same.

Ball handling

When looking at Klubnik’s ball handling, I want to specifically look at his fumble numbers. While they have improved from 2023 to 2024, his fumble rate has been a bit too high to simply overlook. Over his last two season, he has accounted for 14 total fumbles and has lost five. Included in these fumbles have been some silly give aways which were easily avoidable.

To his credit, he improved in 2024, but the fumble numbers were still a touch high for my liking. I want to see continued positive regression from in this area in 2025.

Mental Processing

While Klubnik has shown flashes of strong mental processing, consistency is still developing.

It was mentioned in his strengths, but Klubnik is at his best when the picture is clear pre-snap and he is able to decipher coverage. However, when coverages shift, safeties rotate, and the picture changes post-snap, things become more challenging for him. In these situations processing can stall out. This has produced the vast majority of his turnover worthy plays, missed opportunities, and late throws.

He can also continue to progress is as an anticipatory thrower.

Klubnik has shown the flashes of these capabilities, but there still is a comfortably and underlying desire to see his receiver open prior to getting the ball out. Throwing the ball with anticipation is what separates the good from the great. Improving in this area would be significant for Klubnik.

Decision Making

Klubnik is an overall reliable decision-maker. However, there is still room for continued growth.

There times he can get stuck on his first read and fails to come off of it fast enough when it is taken away post-snap.

There are also times he extends play, gets late in the down, and forces throws into coverage when he should have just thrown the ball away.

Pocket Presence

Klubnik has poise when facing rushers and there are flashes of good pocket presence. Yet, his overall body of work in this area remains a work in progress.

Too often, he will play fast even when he doesn’t need to. He will bail on clean pockets prematurely, particularly when his first read doesn’t come open right away. Rather than calmly resetting or stepping up, Klubnik will drift laterally, and at times, directly into pressure. This has made protection harder on his offensive line, caused disruptions in the timing and rhythm of plays, and finally disrupts his lower-body mechanics.

This reactive movement suggests a lack of trust in the pocket or discomfort working through full-field progressions with bodies around him. If he wants to take the next step as a passer, Klubnik will need to develop more discipline and confidence staying within the pocket structure to allow plays to develop. To Klubnik’s credit, he rarely looks panicked, and his eyes stay downfield when on the move.

He’s not skittish — just occasionally too eager to use his legs when a small climb or subtle slide would suffice. As he gains more trust in his protection and improves his feel for defensive pressure, there’s reason to believe this area will improve. But for now, his pocket presence is more functional than polished.

Mechanics

Mechanically, Klubnik has some natural tools but there is a lack of consistency. In the pocket he has a tendency to play on his toes causing instability in his base. He also has a tendency to cut his follow-through short. Both of which have impacted his accuracy.

When plays extend or his first read is taken away, there are times his movements can get away from him. During this time, rather than calmly climbing the pocket, he will drift laterally or run within the pocket without purpose, disrupting his throwing base.

Late in the down and feeling like he needs to move off his sport, there are times his lower-body will break down. In these instances, his feet will get frantic and run parallel to the line of scrimmage instead of aligned to his target. This significantly impacts his throwing base and strips velocity and accuracy from his throws. Correcting these inconsistencies in his game will be key for his long-term development.

Accuracy

Klubnik’s accuracy can fluctuate depending on pressure and platform. In the short and intermediate game, balls will arrive late or outside the receivers frame, forcing them to adjust unnecessarily or leading to incompletions. Klubnik will also miss high in the intermediate portions of the field, which are often tied to lower-body inconsistencies. His deep ball placement can be more consistent, often being left behind the receiver causing them to break stride and work back to the ball. It often still resulted in receptions, but it made the catch much more difficult for the receiver.

These are all easily correctable and has the natural touch and baseline precision to be more consistent. There’s certainly reason to believe improvement will come with more experience and a stabilized supporting cast. The foundation is there, but Klubnik needs to stack cleaner reps to become a consistently accurate NFL-level passer.

Player Comparison: Jaxson Dart

Cade Klubnik shares a number of stylistic similarities with the former Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart. Both are mobile, competitive passers with enough arm talent to threaten every level of the field, but not so overpowering that they can rely solely on physical gifts. They’re at their best when playing on schedule, using tempo and RPOs to find rhythm.

Like Dart, Klubnik can make impressive second-reaction plays, but also struggles at times with decision-making consistency, drifting in the pocket, and maintaining mechanical discipline late in progressions. They’re gamers — high-energy, confident leaders — but both need to refine their footwork, pocket presence, and down-to-down efficiency to take the next step in their development.

Where Cade Klubnik Stands in the 2026 Class

Cade Klubnik enters the 2025 season firmly in the mix among the top quarterbacks eligible for the 2026 NFL draft. I currently have him graded on par with LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, though I have not finished all of Nussmeier’s tape.

It is important to note that their skill sets cater to different preferences. Nussmeier is a more traditional pocket-passer offering more natural arm talent and is willing to make high-difficulty throws outside of structure. Klubnik, by contrast, is more of a distributor. He’s comfortable in tempo and RPO-heavy offenses, but also offers upside as a rusher Nussmeier does not.

The contrast in style will force NFL evaluators to consider who is a cleaner fit for their system. That is, the improvisational gunslinger or the rhythm-based distributor. While neither has separated yet, both are in the conversation as potential first round risers depending on how their final seasons unfold.

Final Thoughts

Cade Klubnik is still very much a projection, but the foundational traits are there. He’s athletic, experienced, competitive, and shows flashes of NFL-caliber processing. There are inconsistencies that cloud his evaluation such as his mechanical inconsistencies, lapses in decision-making, and willingness to abandon the pocket prematurely, but nothing feels unfixable with time and reps.

Right now, Klubnik is a fringe bottom of the first, top of the second caliber player. Clemson will have a strong season. They have a chance to compete for the national title in 2025. How Klubnik looks during this deep run will ultimately determine how he grades out as a prospect going into the 2026 NFL draft.

In 2025, Klubnik needs to stop flashing and start stringing together complete performances, proving he can elevate his team rather than just operate it.