Clemson QB Cade Klubnik Receives Compelling Outlook on NFL Future

A year ago, Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik was viewed as an elite prospect. He was coming off of a brilliant 2024 campaign, and many felt he could potentially be a No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Things have certainly changed since then.

Klubnik just endured a miserable 2025 campaign, throwing for 2,943 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 65.6 percent of his passes. He also rushed for 94 yards and four scores.

As a rest of Klubnik's less than stellar showing, his draft stock plummeted, and now, he is considered to be a Day 3 pick by most.

But does the 22-year-old have a sliver of a chance to become a starting quarterback on the professional level?

Matthew Jones of Fantasy Pros seems to think it's a possibility, but under a very specific set of circumstances.

"Stock certainly suffered this past season, but looks like he could be an effective quarterback on an offense which blocks well and doesn’t demand too much downfield," Jones wrote.

Jones has Klubnik pegged as a fourth-round pick, which is probably close to the mean. Although there are some who feel that the Clemson product will go much later.

Klubnik definitely does a lot of things well. He is very athletic, has decent arm talent and is able to recognize pressure and get out of the pocket.

The problem is that he is not elite in any one particular area. His processing speed also isn't the best, and while he isn't small at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, he doesn't exactly have ideal size for the position, either.

Essentially, Klubnik projects to be an NFL backup right now. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, as good backup quarterbacks are valuable and make a ton of money. But it's not what Klubnik was hoping for heading into 2025.

Had the Austin, Tx. native entered the draft last year, he probably would have been a top-five pick. He may not have succeeded early on, but at the very least, he would have that big contract locked in and he would have his foot in the door as a starter.

Now, Klubnik will almost certainly have to begin his NFL career riding the pine, barring some very unforeseen circumstances.

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