From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik.<\/p>\n
NO. 2 CADE KLUBNIK\/QB CLEMSON \u2013 6017, 206 POUNDS (SENIOR)
\nMEASUREMENTS<\/p>\n
Player
\nHt\/Wt
\nHand Size
\nArm Length
\nWingspan<\/p>\n
Cade Klubnik
\n6017\/206
\nN\/A
\nN\/A
\nN\/A<\/p>\n
40-Yard Dash
\n10-Yard Dash
\nShort Shuttle
\n3-Cone<\/p>\n
N\/A
\nN\/A
\nN\/A
\nN\/A<\/p>\n
Broad Jump
\nVertical
\nBench Press<\/p>\n
N\/A<\/p>\n
THE GOOD<\/p>\n
-Has good touch and anticipation; throws guys open within routes
-Able to create off platform and has above-average accuracy when on the move; creative QB
-Has high-level experience in a power program; good leadership qualities that teammates rave about
-Has the arm strength to drive the football into tight windows, even without proper mechanics
-Accuracy jumps off the charts; ball is consistently in catchable windows with a good, tight spiral to all three levels
-Drives the football well to middle of the field at all three levels
-Very comfortable working off RPOs and play-action fakes
-Flashes good feel in the pocket with athletic background showing up from mobility perspective
-Brings tough, competitive edge to the position that teammates rally around<\/p>\n
THE BAD<\/p>\n
-Things looked chaotic in the pocket in 2025; Klubnik dropped eyes a lot to rush and his mechanics were all over the place against good defenses
-Doesn\u2019t consistently process quickly enough for the NFL level; has to see it too often before letting it rip rather than trusting his instincts in big spots
-Not a guy who is going to elevate an offense without a run game
-Can be easily fooled by defenses post-snap; slow to process mental snapshot after the snap
-Needs to refine his mechanics, especially on downfield throws to help drive ball even better
-Must add some weight\/strength to his frame to hold up at the next level with his style of play
-Rushing abilities disappeared in 2025; was hesitant to take off and create with legs all season<\/p>\n
STATS<\/p>\n
-2025 stats: 257-of-392 passing for 2,943 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions; added 94 rushing yards and four touchdowns
-Career stats: 916-of-1,432 passing for 10,123 yards, 73 touchdowns and 24 interceptions; 369 carries for 878 yards and 17 touchdowns
-Played in 49 career games at Clemson with 40 career starts; went 26-14 with Tigers
-Twice named the ACC Championship Game MVP
-One of five quarterbacks in Clemson history with 40 or more starts (Rodney Williams, Nealon Greene, Tahj Boyd, Charlie Whitehurst)
-Set a program record with 43 combined passing\/rushing touchdowns in 2024
-Voted a team captain in 2025<\/p>\n
INJURY HISTORY<\/p>\n
-Ankle sprain last season caused him to miss Week 7 against Boston College (only game he missed in his career)
-Suffered quad contusion in Week 10 against Duke but continued to play
-Dealt with thumb injury on right hand during bowl game prep ahead of Penn State matchup, but played in bowl game<\/p>\n
BACKGROUND<\/p>\n
-Born on Oct. 10, 2003; turns 23 as a rookie
-Former 5-star recruit; was ranked No. 1 QB coming out of high school in 2022 recruiting class
-Attended same Texas high school (Westlake) as Drew Brees and Nick Foles
-Participated in track & field in high school; won a Texas state championship in 400m
-Beat former Texas QB and current Miami Dolphins QB Quinn Ewers in a 2020 Texas state title game
-Brother, Reed, played football at Yale
-Graduated from Clemson in December 2025 with a degree in marketing
-Competed in the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl<\/p>\n
TAPE BREAKDOWN<\/p>\n
In a quarterback class that leaves much to be desired based on talent and depth, the 2026 NFL Draft at the position might be best summarized by Clemson\u2019s Cade Klubnik.<\/p>\n
A lot of promise coming into the 2025 season, under-delivering on the potential, yet some tantalizing traits that will lead to him getting drafting and a shot at some point to start for an NFL franchise.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s who Klubnik is. Klubnik had a prolific year in 2024, putting him firmly in the Round 1 discussion entering his final season under Dabo Swinney. But then, things fell apart, and quickly for Klubnik.<\/p>\n
Clemson was bad in 2025, and Klubnik didn\u2019t help things. His touchdown passes cratered, and his ability to create plays with his legs and add an element in the run game completely disappeared.<\/p>\n
However, the former 5-star recruit has a ton of intriguing tools, which will have him hearing his name called in April in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n
One thing I like about Klubnik is his ability to drive the football over the middle of the field.<\/p>\n
He doesn\u2019t have a rocket for an arm, but there\u2019s good pop there, and he can fit the ball into tight windows. Though I\u2019d like to see him have a better low half here and be square to really drive through the throw, this rep shows the arm talent he has.<\/p>\n
Though I have some issues with the way Klubnik dealt with pressure during the 2025 season, consistently dropping his eyes to the rush, early in the season he wasn\u2019t worried much about the pressure, and he stood in there and delivered.<\/p>\n
You can see Klubnik\u2019s arm strength here, driving the ball down the field outside of the numbers, all while the rush is bearing down on him. He does fade away from contact just a bit, but the ball pops off his hand and he delivers a strike down the field for a big play.<\/p>\n
But there\u2019s also the other end of the spectrum with Klubnik.<\/p>\n
Same game against LSU to open the 2025 season and things turn chaotic quickly in the pocket.<\/p>\n
Pressure is in Klubnik\u2019s face quickly, and the rusher comes free off the edge. Instead of setting his feet and throwing the ball or taking the sack, Klubnik throws off of his back foot while fading away. He misfires high, leading to a crucial interception.<\/p>\n
The processing under pressure and the chaotic nature in which Klubnik worked in the pocket last season was summed up perfectly late in the game on this play against LSU.<\/p>\n
This is a clean pocket he bailed from. Worse, he completely missed the receiver running free into a soft spot in coverage for what should have been a touchdown.<\/p>\n
He dropped his eyes quickly, bailed to his right and really limited his ability to make a play with his arm. It resulted in a loss for Clemson, and it was tough to see on tape.<\/p>\n
Despite some of those issues, there\u2019s still plenty of intrigue with Klubnik.<\/p>\n
He drives the football down the field well, hitting receivers in stride. That\u2019s key in downfield strikes. There\u2019s never really any sort of fade to his ball when pushing it downfield. It covers good ground, is a tight spiral and is accurate, setting his receivers up for success after the catch.<\/p>\n
What I think Klubnik needs to get back to is creating plays on the move out of structure. That largely disappeared last season and did so very early. He is a dynamic athlete with a track and field background. His NFL team has to tap into that and move him in the pocket and allow him to thrive and throw on the run.<\/p>\n
When Klubnik did that at Clemson, he was in command. He throws a great ball on designed rollouts, and he is smart and safe with the football as a runner when the play breaks down. It just wasn\u2019t there at all last season, and it really hindered Clemson\u2019s offense.<\/p>\n
CONCLUSION<\/p>\n
Clemson\u2019s Cade Klubnik has the tools to be a serviceable NFL starter, depending on the landing spot. He has a strong resume entering the NFL, and the tools are intriguing. There\u2019s a good arm in there, and Klubnik plays with good timing and throws with anticipation to all three levels of the field.<\/p>\n
But he has to keep his composure in the pocket, especially when facing pressure. He used to deal with it very well, but for whatever reason in 2025, it deserted him in 2025 and led to a very rough year. You\u2019re betting on the traits with Klubnik, rather than last year\u2019s production on a bad team.<\/p>\n
He reminds me a lot of Quinn Ewers, though with a slightly better arm.<\/p>\n