Cade Klubnik Scouting Report: Clemson QB | 2026 NFL Draft Prospect

Jun 1
7 min read

Updated: Jun 6

Player Overview

Name: Cade Klubnik

Position: Quarterback

School: Clemson University

Height/Weight: 6’2”, 205 lbs

Class: Senior (2025 season)

Hometown: Austin, TX

High School: Westlake High School

Recruiting Rank: 5-star recruit, #18 overall in 2022 class, #1 QB (On3 Industry)

Draft Projection

PFF: 1st round, Top 10, QB1–2 (May 2025)
Pro Football Network: 1st round, Top 5, QB1 (Apr 2025)
NFL.com: 1st round, Top 15, QB2–3 (Jan 2025)
ESPN: 1st round, No. 1 overall, QB1 (May 2025)
CBS Sports: 1st round, Top 10, QB2 (Mar 2025)
The 33rd Team: 1st round, Top 10, QB1–2 (Mar 2025)

Combine Data/Unofficial Times: No official NFL Combine data available (as of June 1, 2025). Estimated 40-yard dash time of ~4.65 seconds per NFL Draft Buzz, indicating above-average mobility. High school stats included 7,426 passing yards, 86 TDs, and 7 INTs, leading Westlake to three Texas 6A state titles (2019–2021).

Career Background

Cade Klubnik, a five-star recruit, dominated at Westlake High School, going 30-0 as a starter and earning MaxPreps National Player of the Year (2021). At Clemson, he enrolled early in 2022, backing up DJ Uiagalelei and earning ACC Championship MVP in his debut start. In 2023, he struggled as the full-time starter (63.9 PFF passing grade), but 2024 marked a breakout, with 3,639 yards, 36 TDs, and a CFP berth, leading Clemson to an ACC title. Returning for 2025 under offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, Klubnik aims to solidify his QB1 status for the 2026 NFL Draft, leveraging dynamic receivers and a veteran offensive line.

Career Stats (Through 2024 Season)

• 2022 (True Freshman, Backup): 61/100 (61.0%), 697 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs, 139 rushing yards, 2 TDs (Sports Reference)

• 2023 (Sophomore, Starter): 290/454 (63.9%), 2,844 yards, 19 TDs, 9 INTs, 182 rushing yards, 4 TDs (PFF 2023)

• 2024 (Junior, Starter): 308/468 (65.8%), 3,639 yards, 36 TDs, 6 INTs, 463 rushing yards, 7 TDs (PFF 2024)

Career Totals (3 Seasons): 659/1,022 (64.5%), 7,180 yards, 57 TDs, 18 INTs, 784 rushing yards, 13 TDs

• Advanced Stats (2024, PFF 2024):

• PFF Passing Grade: 87.7 (5th in FBS)

• PFF Rushing Grade: 73.8

• QBR: 151.6 (NCAA, top-25)

• Total Offense: 4,102 yards, 43 total TDs, 6 INTs

• TWP Rate: 2.3% (11 TWP on 468 aimed passes), top-25 FBS, strong ball security

• Adjusted Completion %: 68.2% (308 completions + 11 drops / 468 aimed passes), near median (~70%), solid but improvable

• Sack Rate: 6.8% (32 sacks on 468 attempts), above median (~5.0%), reflecting pressure struggles

• Penalties: 2, below median (~2), minimal operational issues

• Drop Rate: 2.4% (11 drops), low (bottom-10 FBS), boosting completion %

Awards and Accolades

• High School:

• MaxPreps National Player of the Year (2021)

• Gatorade Texas Player of the Year (2021)

• USA Today Offensive Player of the Year (2020, 2021)

• College:

• ACC Championship Game MVP (2022, 2024)

• All-ACC Honorable Mention (2024)

• PFF Preseason All-American (2025)

Character and Leadership

Klubnik’s resilience shone through a challenging 2023 season (4-4 start), rebounding with a 2024 ACC title and CFP appearance, earning praise from coach Dabo Swinney for his work ethic. His clutch performances (e.g., 50-yard TD run vs. Pitt, 2024) and decision to return for 2025 reflect maturity, per X posts. No off-field issues reported, with teammates like Antonio Williams lauding his leadership. His high school pedigree and 2024 growth silence early critics, per College Sports Network.

Injuries

No major injuries reported at Clemson. Klubnik’s 6’2”, 205-pound frame is slightly undersized, raising durability concerns, per PFF. His 6.8% sack rate (PFF 2024) suggests vulnerability to pressure, exacerbated by 32 sacks. Adding 10–15 lbs could enhance NFL durability, per NFL Draft Buzz.

Play Style

Klubnik is a dual-threat quarterback thriving in Clemson’s spread offense under Garrett Riley. His quick release and good arm strength (7.8 YPA, 2024) allow accurate throws across all levels, with 28 big-time throws (5th in FBS, PFF 2024). Above-average mobility (463 rushing yards, 7 TDs) adds RPO and scrambling ability, but he’s not elite as a runner. Improved decision-making (2.3% TWP rate) and pre-snap reads shine, though post-snap coverage disguises and pressure (6.8% sack rate) expose processing and accuracy issues, per Bleacher Report.

Strengths

1. Arm Strength: Good velocity, driving throws downfield (7.8 YPA, 28 big-time throws).

2. Mobility: Above-average dual-threat (463 rushing yards, 7 TDs), effective in RPOs.

3. Decision-Making: 2.3% TWP rate (top-25 FBS), strong pre-snap reads, per PFF.

4. Clutch Ability: Multiple 4th-quarter comebacks (e.g., Pitt, 2024), ACC title MVPs.

5. Quick Release: Compact motion, delivering under pressure, per The Draft Network.

Weaknesses

1. Size: 6’2”, 205 lbs, undersized for NFL durability, per PFF.

2. Pressure Handling: 6.8% sack rate, 2.9 PFF passing grade under pressure, struggling with post-snap disguises.

3. Accuracy: 68.2% adjusted completion % (below median), inconsistent on deep balls (34.6% on 20+ yards).

4. Post-Snap Processing: Slow to adjust to coverage rotations, per Bleacher Report.

5. Turnover Risk: Occasional risky throws when pressured, though improved (6 INTs, 2024).

Limitations

Klubnik’s undersized frame (6’2”, 205 lbs) and high sack rate (6.8%) raise durability concerns against NFL pass rushes. His post-snap processing struggles against coverage disguises (2.9 PFF grade under pressure) and inconsistent accuracy (68.2% adjusted completion) limit immediate starting potential. While his dual-threat ability adds versatility, he’s not a dynamic runner, restricting RPO-heavy scheme fits. With two years as a starter, Klubnik needs 2025 to refine processing and accuracy for a top-tier QB1 role, per PFF.

College Scheme Experience

Klubnik has operated in Clemson’s Air Raid offense under OC Garrett Riley since 2023, a spread system (65% 11 personnel, 60% pass rate) emphasizing RPOs (18% of plays), play-action (20% of dropbacks), and up-tempo pacing (2.2 plays/minute), per PFF 2024. The scheme leverages his mobility (463 rushing yards, 10% scramble rate) for RPOs and designed runs, as seen in a 50-yard TD vs. Pitt, per. His arm talent (8.0 YPA) targets all field levels, producing 22 big-time throws, but the system’s reliance on quick reads exposes his inconsistent accuracy (68.7% adjusted completion) and pressure struggles (6.2% sack rate), per. In 2022, as a backup, he played in a similar spread system under Brandon Streeter, completing 58.8% of passes, per Sports Reference. In 2025, Riley’s system, with returning receivers like Antonio Williams, will continue to highlight Klubnik’s versatility, per.

Player Archetype

Klubnik most closely aligns with the Mobile quarterback archetype, defined by significant rushing impact through designed runs, scrambles, and play-extension, with a 92% match driven by his 2024 performance at Clemson. His 463 rushing yards, 66 rushing attempts, 7 rushing TDs, and 10% scramble rate meet or exceed Mobile parameters, as seen in a game-winning 50-yard TD run against Pitt, per. His positive EPA/rush (0.08, per PFF) reflects efficient ground contributions, with tape showing explosive runs (e.g., vs. NC State) and adept setup of blockers on QB draws, per. Klubnik’s ability to extend plays, as noted in a 90% completion game vs. Appalachian State (5 pass TDs, 2 rush TDs), underscores his Mobile fit, per. Scouting reports praise his “twitchy athleticism” and open-field speed, aligning with the archetype’s emphasis on dynamic rushing.

Klubnik also grades highly in the Big Arm archetype, with an 85% match, due to his strong arm talent and deep-shot capability, though he falls short of a primary fit due to inconsistent deep accuracy. His 8.0 YPA on 10+ yard throws (per PFF), 8.2 air yards per attempt (estimated, per), and 4.2% big-time throw rate (22 big-time throws, top-10 FBS) meet Big Arm thresholds, as seen in a 336-yard, 3-TD CFP performance vs. Texas, per. His 85.5 PFF deep-throw grade reflects high-velocity throws, particularly on back-shoulder fades, per. However, his 38.5% deep pass completion rate (vs. ≥40%) and occasional underthrown deep balls, as noted on X, limit his Big Arm alignment. Klubnik’s 68.7% adjusted completion and 2.8% TWP rate misalign with Accurate (45% match), and his 7.8 ADOT and 3,639 yards with 36 TDs rule out Game Manager (60% match), per PFF, reinforcing his Mobile identity with Big Arm traits.

Player Comparisons

Comparison: Deshaun Watson (6’2”, 221 lbs). Watson’s dual-threat ability, quick release, and strong arm (7.8 YPA, 25 big-time throws, 2020) mirror Klubnik’s 6’2”, 205 lbs frame, 7.8 YPA, and 26 big-time throws. Both excel in spread, RPO-heavy systems, with similar mobility (4.66 vs. 4.65-second 40, 341 vs. 463 rushing yards) and clutch play (Watson’s 2016 National Championship vs. Klubnik’s 2024 Pitt comeback). Their moderate turnover risks (2.1% vs. 2.3% TWP rate) and pressure struggles (6.5% vs. 6.8% sack rate) align, making Watson’s 2016 Clemson tape a strong reflection of Klubnik’s 2024 dynamic, high-risk passing.

Off-Field Considerations

Klubnik’s five-star pedigree and three state titles highlight his elite foundation. His ACC title MVPs and 2024 breakout silenced critics, per X posts. No off-field issues reported, with teammates praising his clutch leadership. Clemson’s 11 drops (2024, low) aided his stats, per PFF.

Draft Outlook and Recommendations

Cade Klubnik’s arm talent, mobility, and clutch play position him as an early 1st-round pick (Top 5–15) in the 2026 NFL Draft, with QB1 potential. His 2024 season (3,639 yards, 36 TDs, 2.3% TWP rate) and 2025 return signal franchise QB upside, but size and pressure handling need work for immediate NFL impact.

• Recommended Draft Range: Early 1st Round (Top 5–15, 2026)

• PFF: 1st round, Top 10, QB1–2 (May 2025)

• Pro Football Network: 1st round, Top 5, QB1 (Apr 2025)

• NFL.com: 1st round, Top 15, QB2–3 (Jan 2025)

• ESPN: 1st round, No. 1 overall, QB1 (May 2025)

• CBS Sports: 1st round, Top 10, QB2 (Mar 2025)

• The 33rd Team: 1st round, Top 10, QB1–2 (Mar 2025)

• Ideal Landing Spots: Browns, Raiders, Steelers, Jets

• Key Areas for 2025 Improvement:

• Improve post-snap processing vs. coverage disguises

• Enhance accuracy, particularly on deep balls

• Add weight for durability

Final Evaluation

Cade Klubnik’s dual-threat ability, arm talent, and clutch performances make him a top-tier 2026 NFL Draft prospect with franchise QB potential. His 2024 breakout and 2025 return offer a chance to polish processing and accuracy, critical for a Top 5–15 pick. In a spread system, Klubnik could emulate Tua Tagovailoa’s dynamism or risk Jake Haener’s backup status without growth.

Sources

• PFF 2024 QB Stats

• PFF 2023 QB Stats

• PFF 2022 QB Stats

• Sports Reference

• Bleacher Report

• ESPN

• NFL Draft Buzz

• Pro Football Network

• The 33rd Team

• NFL.com

• CBS Sports