Former Clemson QB Cade Klubnik is About to Get His NFL Opportunity

Former Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik was initially supposed to be a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but a subpar final season in Death Valley resulted in Klubnik falling all the way to Day 3.

The New York Jets nabbed him in the fourth round last April, trading up to acquire him. Clearly, they liked him, and with 36-year-old Geno Smith penciled in as their starter, it was obvious that Klubnik seemed to be landing in a good spot.

The Jets are now 2-7, and while Smith has played decently well, everyone knows he isn't any sort of answer moving forward. So why doesn't New York just turn to Klubnik now?

The Jets own three first-round picks next April, and in what is expected to be a quarterback-heavy draft, they will almost certainly take a signal-caller.

Taking that into consideration, wouldn't you want to see what Klubnik has before you decide to make a move on another young quarterback?

After all, you traded up to take Klubnik. You evidently saw something in him that you liked, and Clemson fans know what he is capable of when he is locked in.

Fortunately for Klubnk, that opportunity appears to be coming soon.

There is almost zero chance New York sticks with Smith long term. Head coach Aaron Glenn has likely been rolling with him through the first half of the season because he felt the veteran gave him the best chance to win, but now, the Jets are basically just playing for a draft pick.

I do suppose that Glenn may be coaching for his job, but Smith isn't saving him. Why not turn to Klubnik and see if the Clemson product can spark the team over the final eight games of the campaign? What does he have to lose?

Klubnik was brilliant in 2024, throwing 36 touchdown passes and showing tremendous potential as a dual threat. He was on everyone's radar going into his senior campaign, and for good reason.

But with just about everything else at Clemson last season, things did not go according to plan for Klubnik, and his stock plummeted.

However, his 2024 campaign was not an accident. He was legitimately good, and everyone saw the dynamic talent.

We also caught glimpses of it during Jets preseason, when Klubnik absolutely displayed some flashses.

Klubnik's NFL opportunity is coming, and it should be here sooner than later.