Cade Klubnik

NFL Draft Profile: Cade Klubnik

Position: Quarterback | School: Clemson | Class: Senior

Height: 6'2" | Weight: 210 lbs | Archetype: Rhythm Gunslinger / Improviser

College Career Summary

Cade Klubnik arrived at Clemson with the gargantuan task of following in the footsteps of Trevor Lawrence. After a rollercoaster start to his career, including a sophomore season where the Tigers went 4-4 before a late-season surge, Klubnik found his stride. His 2024 campaign was a true breakout, leading Clemson to an ACC title with 36 touchdowns.

The 2025 season, his final in Death Valley, was defined by historic consistency. Klubnik became only the fourth Clemson QB to surpass 11,000 career yards of total offense and set the school record for career completions, surpassing Tajh Boyd. While the 2025 Tigers (7-6) lacked the defensive dominance of years past, Klubnik carried the load, showing off-platform magic and a "never-say-die" competitiveness that became his trademark. He concluded his career with an emotional Pinstripe Bowl appearance, leaving as one of the most productive signal-callers in ACC history.

2025 Season Statistical Highlights

• Passing Yards: 2,943 (including Bowl)

• Completion %: 65.5%

• Touchdowns: 16 Passing, 4 Rushing

• Interceptions: 8

• Career Wins: 26 (6th most in Clemson history)

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats (Cmp/Att, Yds, TD/INT)	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs. LSU	19/38, 230 Yds, 0 TD/1 INT	C+	High volume, but struggled to finish drives in a defensive slog.
2	vs. Troy	18/24, 196 Yds, 2 TD/0 INT	A	Clinical efficiency. Earned his 20th career win with surgical accuracy.
3	@ Georgia Tech	23/34, 215 Yds, 1 TD/1 INT	B-	Heavy pressure forced him into "survival mode." Good but not elite.
4	vs. Syracuse	20/35, 208 Yds, 1 TD/0 INT	B	Solid management. Kept the chains moving in a tough loss.
5	@ N. Carolina	22/24, 254 Yds, 4 TD/0 INT	A+	The Masterpiece. 91.7% completion. Looked like a #1 overall pick.
6	@ Boston Coll	22/30, 280 Yds, 1 TD/0 INT	A-	High-level anticipation before exiting late with an ankle tweak.
7	vs. SMU	23/35, 308 Yds, 3 TD/1 INT	A-	First back-to-back 300-yard game. Elite vertical touch.
8	vs. Duke	33/56, 228 Yds, 1 TD/2 INT	D+	Season Low. Threw a career-high 56 passes; pressed too hard.
9	vs. Florida St	20/27, 221 Yds, 1 TD/0 INT	A	Reached 10,000 career total yards. Complete control of the game.
10	@ Louisville	22/34, 187 Yds, 0 TD/0 INT	B+	Engineered a 4th-quarter comeback; 25th career win as a starter.
11	@ Virginia Tech	16/34, 211 Yds, 3 TD/1 INT	B	Highlight-reel spin-move TD pass showed elite improvisational skills.
12	@ S. Carolina	24/39, 268 Yds, 0 TD/1 INT	B	Controlled the rivalry. Used legs (1 TD) to supplement passing.
Bowl	vs. Penn State	22/39, 193 Yds, 0 TD/1 INT	C	Emotional finale; yardage was suppressed by a stifling PSU rush.

NFL Scouting Report

Strengths

• Elastic Arm Talent: Klubnik possesses a "rubber" arm, allowing him to launch balls from varying slots with elite torque. He doesn't need his feet set to drive a 15-yard out-route.

• Competitive Toughness: He is arguably the gutsiest QB in the class. He takes massive hits and routinely bounces back to deliver strikes in the next play.

• Elite Improvisation: At his best when the play breaks down. He uses a deceptive "long-strider" speed (clocked at 21+ MPH) to evade rushers and find throwing lanes.

• Pre-Snap Command: Four years in Swinney's system gave him an advanced understanding of defensive rotations and protection adjustments.

Weaknesses

• Processing Hesitancy: He occasionally "waits to see it" rather than throwing with anticipation. This split-second delay leads to sacks or windows closing in the NFL.

• Footwork Consistency: When the pocket gets "muddy," his footwork can widen or become static, causing his accuracy to sail—particularly on intermediate crossers.

• Interception Clusters: Like a streaky shooter, when he gets "cold," he tends to force the ball into traffic to try and regain momentum.

• Size/Play-Strength: At 210 lbs, he lacks the bulk of a prototypical pocket passer. He can be "rag-dolled" by interior pressure if he doesn't escape early.

Scheme Fit

• Primary Fit: Vertical RPO / Spread. He would flourish in a system like the Indianapolis Colts or Arizona Cardinals—offenses that prioritize movement, play-action deep shots, and a QB who can contribute in the run game.

Scout's Final Word

"Cade Klubnik is the 2026 Draft's ultimate 'High-Ceiling' project. He has the elite arm elasticity and athleticism that franchise QBs are made of, but his tape is plagued by stretches of over-thinking. If an NFL coach can marry his natural gunslinger instincts with a more disciplined 'check-down' mentality, he has Pro Bowl upside. Currently, he projects as a Mid-to-Late Day 2 pick (Round 2-3) who could sneak into the late 1st with a strong Combine showing."