A harsh review questions Clemson's quarterback's supporting cast, impacting Cade Klubnik's draft projection. Can he overcome pressure and prove his NFL worth?
Cade Klubnik was one of the reasons Clemson was expected to make the College Football Playoff last season.
Klubnik struggled in Clemson's season opener against Georgia in 2024, throwing for 142 yards and one interception in a 34-3 loss.
But he became a threat late in the season, throwing for 262 yards and four touchdowns to beat SMU 34-31 in the ACC championship.
Klubnik did his part in the 38-24 loss to Texas in the first round of the CFP, throwing for 336 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
But things didn't go smoothly for Klubnick of Clemson in 2025. He finished with 2,943 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions for the campaign.
Clemson finished 7-6 on the season, and the Tigers moved on from offensive coordinator Garrett Riley.
ESPN's Jordan Reid offered a harsh review of the quarterback's season, arguing the supporting cast should have been enough for Klubnik to succeed. He thought Klubnik had a chance to be the top quarterback in the 2026 class.
"With four starters returning along the Tigers' offensive line and his top three wide receivers back for another season, I thought Klubnik had the best supporting cast in the country and had a prime opportunity to build off a breakout 2024," Reid wrote.
"That's part of why I had him as the No. 1 pick in my way-too-early mock draft last May... He's most comfortable operating off play-action, as he had 10 touchdowns, two interceptions and a 72.7% completion percentage."
Reid ranked Klubnik as the No. 9 quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. He thinks the earliest Klubnik will go in the draft is Saturday, Day 3.
The league might be worried about how Klubnik handles pressure.
"His mechanics tend to wane when facing pressure, and his accuracy becomes scattershot," Reid wrote. Klubnik completed only 48.5% of his passes when facing true pressure.
"There were mixed opinions of Klubnik entering the season, but thoughts of him being a middle-to-late round passer have become more of a consensus."
One has to wonder if Klubnik would have been better off entering the draft in 2025.
Klubnik threw for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Instead of being a guaranteed Week 1 starter, Klubnik will have to earn his way onto the field by impressing coaches during training camp and the preseason.
Maybe he'll find better luck in the NFL with a better coaching staff than he had in his final year at Clemson.