Entering the 2025 college football season, there were many in the national media who were projecting Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik as a potential high first-round pick. Klubnik had a strong finish to the 2024 season while producing some big numbers in the Tigers’ offense. In 2024, Klubnik completed 63 percent of his passes for 3,639 yards with 36 touchdowns and six interceptions. However, not every evaluator was on board with Klubnik as a first-round talent, including a draft analyst. Klubnik has not been prolific thus far in 2025, and in speaking with team sources, they are not high on Klubnik. Some sources say they are projecting Klubnik to day three of the draft.
Team sources see Klubnik having limitations in his skill set for the NFL, and they think he could be more of a third-string backup. In 2025, Klubnik has completed 66 percent of his passes for 1,530 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. Listed at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, Klubnik has less than ideal size, and he does not have a power arm or dynamic running ability. Hence, Klubnik is not being viewed by these sources as a potential starter in the NFL. Opinions can vary, but in speaking with multiple team sources, they did not have Klubnik as an early-round prospect.
In my latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft, I have a number of quarterbacks going in the first round. But Klubnik did not manage to crack the first two rounds.
