Jan. 23, 2026, 5:50 p.m. ET
It is never too early to begin watching prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft. General manager Jason Licht has made the draft the key cog in the Buccaneers‘ roster-building and team-transforming machine.
We are going to be covering every position in the draft. Not all of them will necessarily be immediate needs for Tampa Bay, but anything is possible, especially when factoring in contracts, injuries, and development curves. Even if the Buccaneers do not select a player at a certain position, there is always the possibility that the prospect ends up with a division rival the Bucs will see twice a year.
In this report, we will discuss a quarterback. While Baker Mayfield is currently entrenched as the starter in Tampa Bay, quarterback evaluation never stops. Backup development, long-term contingency planning, and schematic fit all matter, especially in an NFC South that continues to evolve by the season.
With that in mind, here is our report on Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik.
InformationSchool: ClemsonConference: ACCHeight/Weight: 6-2, 210 lbsPrevious Schools: NoneAll-Star Game: Shrine BowlNeed a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!BackgroundFormer four-star recruitPlayed in a shotgun-heavy, RPO-based offenseMulti-year starter in a Power Five programTwo-time ACC Championship Game MVPSet Clemson records for career pass attempts and completionsNotable StatsCareer Games Played: 49Career Starts: 40Career Passing:Completions: 916Attempts: 1,432Passing Yards: 10,123Passing Touchdowns: 73Interceptions: 24Career Rushing:Rushing Yards: 878Rushing Touchdowns: 17Total Career Offense:Total Yards: 11,001Total Touchdowns Responsible For: 90Notable PFF Numbers (2025)High-volume dropback quarterback in a pass-heavy offenseAverage depth of target: 8.3 yardsSacked 42 times in 2025, 76 times over four seasonsBetter efficiency from clean pockets than when pressuredTurnover-worthy plays increased when extending plays lateSkillsComfortable in shotgun and RPO conceptsExperience throwing across the fieldFunctional mobility to extend playsWilling to stand in and deliver under pressureProven durability with high snap volumePlayer Summary
Cade Klubnik is a battle-tested quarterback with extensive experience operating a modern college offense. Clemson leaned heavily on him over four seasons, asking him to handle high dropback volume while mixing in RPOs, empty sets, and quick-game concepts. When operating in rhythm, Klubnik shows good field awareness and enough arm strength to challenge defenses at all three levels.
The biggest concern arises when plays are extended, and passes get forced. Klubnik has a tendency to hold the ball while searching for late answers, which has led to elevated sack totals and occasional turnover-worthy decisions. While he is capable of escaping pressure, he can drift out of clean pockets rather than stepping up, allowing edge rushers to close.
Overall, Klubnik profiles as a developmental quarterback with starter experience, toughness, and leadership traits. In the right NFL system, particularly one that emphasizes timing, play-action, and defined reads, he could develop into a reliable option. His ceiling will ultimately be determined by how well he speeds up his processing and limits negative plays under pressure.