Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik's projected draft stock plummets as a harsh assessment reveals his potential backup status, dimming early first-round hopes.
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik entered the 2025 regular season with an outside chance of working his way into becoming a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Months earlier, he had finished the 2024 campaign in the first round of the College Football Playoff against Texas. Klubnick threw for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions that season.
Klubnik regressed in Garrett Riley's offense last season. He finished the 2025 campaign throwing for 2,943 yards 16 touchdowns, and six interceptions as the Tigers finished with a 7-6 record.
Klubnik wasn't the only quarterback to have a disappointing 2025 season with the NFL draft on the line. Penn State quarterback Drew Allar struggled in the early season before suffering a season-ending injury.
Garrett Nussmeier struggled with LSU in the same season that head coach Brian Kelly would be fired.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today had a tough reality check for Klubnik before the draft starts on Thursday. He suggested Klubnik would have to wait for a while before he heard his name called on Day 2 or Day 3.
"With teams not needing their services immediately, signal-callers who last that long typically fall into one of two buckets: developmental projects or potential backup options," he wrote.
"Klubnik seems to be trending toward the latter, and it could be reflected in his landing spot. After his three years as a starter for the Tigers, there's not much mystery as to who the former five-star recruit is."
Middlehurst-Schwartz thinks Klubnik has enough of an arm to push the ball downfield with deep throws. However, he noted that isn't necessarily a strength for the young quarterback.
He argued that could be an issue for Klubnik since he has yet to learn how to handle pressure in the pocket. Middlehurst-Schwartz sees Klubnik as a backup quarterback who might not get better at composure at the next level.
Klubnik will be a project player for whatever team takes him in the draft this weekend. He flashed a lot of potential in 2025, and league coaches might think they can get that type of play out of the quarterback with a little extra work.