Despite a challenging college season, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik's arm talent and potential position him for a late-round NFL draft pick, possibly with the Panthers.
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik will face an uphill battle to become a starter in the NFL after struggling in his final season with the Tigers.
Klubnik had the chance to become an early draft pick, but Clemson's offense was a problem in the 7-6 season.
How much of that is on Klubnik and how much former offensive coordinator Garrett Riley was to blame remains to be seen. But the Tigers hope the offense is better in 2026 after both moved on this offseason.
Klubnik is still expected to be taken in the 2026 NFL Draft, but he most likely will not be a Day 1 or Day 2 pick, even with the class not having a lot of high-end quarterbacks.
ESPN's Ben Sloak suggested the Carolina Panthers could take Klubnik with the No. 200 pick in the sixth round of the draft. He'd compete for a role with Kenny Pickett and Bryce Young after the Panthers traded Andy Dalton.
Sloak thinks the Panthers could draft Dalton's replacement a little earlier than the sixth round, but thinks Klubnik could make sense for geography.
"As such, I could see them adding a QB2 candidate much earlier than the sixth round," Sloak wrote. "But I'll stick with the late-drafted, (relatively) local kid in Clemson product Klubnik. An ex-five-star recruit, Klubnik has a great arm with solid throwing mechanics.
"His best throws come on his deep ball, which he can also deliver well on the move, and his quick upfield stride takes a lot of linebackers by surprise. Klubnik is a classic "give a receiver a chance" sort of quarterback -- he'll hang a lot of catchable balls on high-trajectory throws, and his accuracy falls off when forced to drive breaking routes between windows."
Sloak thinks Panthers head coach Dave Canales would be a great mind to pair Klubnik with. Klubnik has issues with timing and anticipation.
Canales helped Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield get up to speed in the NFL.
While Klubnik would offer Canales a project quarterback on Day 3, he could eventually grow into a solid backup quarterback for Carolina.