Cade Klubnik

Once viewed as a potential successor to Clemson’s long line of NFL quarterbacks, Cade Klubnik now enters the 2026 NFL Draft cycle with far more questions than answers.

A Texas high school legend and five-star recruit out of Westlake High School, Klubnik arrived at Clemson Tigerscarrying the weight of following Trevor Lawrence. Early returns suggested he might live up to the billing. His rise from Elite 11 MVP to ACC Championship Game hero showcased a quarterback with athletic juice, confidence, and off-script creativity. The 2024 season marked the high point: 3,639 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, six interceptions, plus 463 rushing yards and seven scores, including a historic performance against Appalachian State and multiple clutch ACC moments.

That version of Klubnik generated real NFL buzz and legitimate Day 2 projections.

Then came 2025.

Senior-Year Regression

Rather than building on his breakout, Klubnik’s senior season exposed lingering flaws. The production dipped, the efficiency wavered, and the decision-making under pressure regressed. While his mobility and arm talent remained evident, consistency did not.

NFL evaluators came away with familiar concerns:

• Erratic accuracy when pressured

• Inconsistent post-snap processing

• Difficulty sustaining rhythm in the intermediate passing game

• Overreliance on athleticism when structure broke down

The traits were still there—but the refinement stalled.

As a result, Klubnik’s stock slid sharply. What once looked like a potential early-round dual-threat quarterback now profiles closer to a developmental backup, with teams viewing him as a project rather than a plug-and-play option.

Current Draft Outlook

League consensus has shifted Klubnik firmly into Day 3 territory, with most boards projecting him in the Rounds 4–7 range. He’s typically ranked as the 5th–8th quarterback in the 2026 class, grouped with other athletic but inconsistent passers.

His invitation to the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl is telling—it’s an opportunity to stabilize his evaluation rather than confirm top-tier status.

SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS

Functional Athleticism
Legitimate dual-threat ability; speed and burst stress defenses and create second-chance plays.

Quick, Compact Release
Gets the ball out efficiently, especially on movement throws and RPO concepts.

Deep Ball Touch
Flashes strong feel on vertical routes, capable of throwing receivers open downfield.

Off-Script Creativity
Comfortable improvising when plays break down; thrives in chaos.

Pocket Mobility
Shows ability to slide, reset, and extend plays while keeping eyes downfield.

Big-Game Experience
Battle-tested against top competition with multiple postseason starts.

SCOUTING REPORT: WEAKNESSES

Inconsistent Decision-Making
Forced throws when pressured; struggles to live for the next down.

Accuracy Under Duress
Ball placement drops significantly when the pocket collapses.

Intermediate Passing Gaps
Timing and anticipation over the middle remain unreliable.

Processing vs Rotation
Late to identify post-snap coverage changes; can be baited by disguise.

Lacks Elite Trait
Good athlete, solid arm—but no single defining skill that carries an offense.

SKOL FIT: REALISTIC NFL ROLE

Klubnik is no longer evaluated as a franchise-altering quarterback. Instead, teams see:

• A developmental QB2/QB3

• A system-dependent option in spread or RPO-heavy offenses

• A player whose athleticism can win snaps, but whose inconsistencies limit trust

For teams like the Minnesota Vikings, his profile doesn’t align with early-round investment. The appeal would come only on Day 3, where traits and mobility can justify a developmental pick without expectation of immediate return.

FINAL SKOL TAKE

Cade Klubnik’s story is not one of failure—but of unmet projection.

The tools that once fueled first-round chatter are still present, but the senior-year regression reset his evaluation entirely. NFL teams now see a quarterback who can survive with athleticism but hasn’t proven he can win consistently from the pocket.

Updated Draft Range: Round 4–7
Projected Role: Developmental backup
Risk Profile: Moderate
Path to Relevance: Improve processing speed, tighten accuracy under pressure, reduce reliance on improvisation

Klubnik will get a chance—his athleticism ensures that. But at this stage, he enters the league fighting for a roster spot, not a franchise.