Cade Klubnik prepares for what will likely be his last season in a Clemson uniform, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A great season could vault him into the No. 1 overall pick conversation, while a disappointing campaign could raise concerns about his readiness for the next level
For Klubnik, this is the year to prove he’s not just a good college quarterback, but a future NFL franchise cornerstone.
With strong leadership, continuous improvement, and a little bit of Clemson magic, he could leave an indelible mark on college football — and write his ticket to NFL stardom.
With Joel Klatt’s endorsement, a stellar 2024 campaign, and a bright outlook for the 2025 season, Cade Klubnik is entering rarefied air.
He’s no longer just a promising quarterback—he’s the face of a resurgent Clemson program and potentially the face of college football itself.
Klatt’s projection isn’t just a hot take. It’s a well-supported vote of confidence in a player who has grown with every challenge, elevated his team, and is now poised to lead them on a potential title run.
As the 2025 season kicks off, all eyes will be on Cade Klubnik. And if his trajectory continues, he may very well go down as one of the greats in Clemson—and college football—history.
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Cade Klubnik’s NFL Rise: What Awaits the Clemson Star in 2025?
As the college football world gears up for the 2025 season, few names shine brighter than Cade Klubnik.1
Clemson’s junior quarterback has been steadily carving his path into the elite tier of college football signal-callers.
Now entering what is expected to be his final collegiate season, all eyes are on Klubnik as he aims to cement himself as a top prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Cade Klubnik’s sophomore season was the breakout campaign Clemson fans had hoped for. After taking over as the full-time starter, Klubnik showcased his accuracy, pocket presence, and athleticism.
He finished the season with over 3,500 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions, leading the Tigers to an ACC Championship Game appearance and a New Year’s Six bowl berth.
— Cade Klubnik (@CadeKlubnikQB) March 14, 2025
A Critical Junior Season Lies Ahead
Entering the 2025 college football season, Cade Klubnik is more than just a talented quarterback — he’s a player under the microscope.
Quarterbacks are often judged most critically in their third collegiate season, and for Klubnik, this is the ultimate audition for the NFL.
He will need to showcase continued development in decision-making, accuracy on deep throws, and leadership in clutch situations.
Clemson’s offense is expected to revolve heavily around him, and how he performs could not only shape his own draft stock but also determine Clemson’s national title hopes.
More importantly, Klubnik demonstrated poise under pressure. Whether orchestrating late-game drives or escaping collapsing pockets with ease, he looked the part of a future NFL quarterback.
With that performance, he climbed up the early draft boards and entered the 2025 season with sky-high expectations.
Cade Klubnik: Early Mock Draft Buzz
A Top-5 Selection?
Even though the 2026 NFL Draft is nearly a year away, mock drafts are already rolling out.2
In late April, Pro Football Focus released a first-round mock draft that turned heads.
They had Cade Klubnik going fourth overall — the second quarterback selected — right behind Texas quarterback Arch Manning, who was projected to go second to the Cleveland Browns.
Klubnik was selected by the New York Jets, a franchise with long-standing quarterback issues. This mock draft used Super Bowl odds to set the draft order, placing the Jets near the top — signaling yet another underwhelming season in East Rutherford.
The Jets’ Quarterback Conundrum
At first glance, the New York Jets selecting Cade Klubnik might seem like a surprise, especially after signing Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million deal in the 2025 offseason. But a deeper look shows why this move could make sense.
Fields, though still just 26, has had an inconsistent NFL career. Despite flashes of brilliance and elite athleticism, he has struggled with accuracy, turnovers, and reading complex defenses.
While he might provide short-term stability, Fields has yet to prove that he is the long-term answer at quarterback.
Should the Jets find themselves picking in the top five again, it would be logical for them to consider drafting a quarterback.
And if Klubnik has a strong 2025 campaign, he could easily be their preferred choice — a polished, pro-ready passer with leadership traits and big-game experience.
How Cade Klubnik Compares to Arch Manning?
One of the most intriguing storylines heading into the 2026 NFL Draft is the battle between Cade Klubnik and Arch Manning.3
While Manning has the famed last name and elite pedigree, Klubnik has arguably had the more productive college career to date.
Arch Manning, playing under the intense spotlight at Texas, has shown flashes of brilliance but has also dealt with inconsistency and competition for the starting job.
Klubnik, meanwhile, has had more time to grow into the role and mature as a leader. Their head-to-head comparison will be one of the most debated topics among NFL scouts and analysts throughout the 2025 season.
The Skill Set That Makes Klubnik Special
Cade Klubnik isn’t just another college quarterback with a strong arm — his skill set is well-rounded and tailored for today’s NFL. He combines mobility with accuracy, leadership with confidence, and composure with creativity.
What separates Klubnik is his ability to extend plays while keeping his eyes downfield. He thrives in off-script situations, a trait that has become increasingly valuable in the NFL.
Additionally, he’s shown a high football IQ, routinely diagnosing defenses pre-snap and making quick decisions post-snap.
If he can continue to refine his deep ball and show more consistency in tight-window throws, there’s no reason he can’t be the first quarterback off the board next April.
The Clemson Effect: NFL Quarterback Factory?
While Clemson has produced top-tier defensive talent for years, their quarterback legacy isn’t short either.
Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence are the two most notable names in recent memory, both of whom were first-round NFL Draft picks and successful collegiate stars.
Cade Klubnik could soon join that list. Playing in a program with high expectations, elite coaching, and top-tier competition in the ACC prepares him well for the professional level.
NFL teams often value prospects who come from winning cultures, and Klubnik checks that box emphatically.
Pressure, Expectations, and Leadership in 2025
- This season, Klubnik will not only have to deal with pressure from opponents but also from the weight of expectations.
- Clemson is expected to contend for a College Football Playoff spot, and Klubnik’s performance will be the determining factor.
- Beyond his physical talent, scouts will be evaluating his ability to lead under pressure.
- Can he rally his teammates in tight games? Can he bounce back from adversity? Can he maintain consistency over the course of a grueling season? These intangible traits often separate the top-tier NFL quarterbacks from the rest.
- Clemson’s national title window has been fluctuating in recent years. While the Tigers remain a dominant force in the ACC, they haven’t truly contended for a national championship since Trevor Lawrence left for the NFL.
- With Cade Klubnik at the helm and a talented supporting cast around him, this could be Clemson’s best chance in years.
- A strong run through the regular season, an ACC Championship, and a playoff berth would not only boost Klubnik’s stock but also reestablish Clemson as a powerhouse on the national stage.
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Cade Klubnik: College Football’s Top QB in 2025
When Joel Klatt, Fox Sports’ veteran college football analyst, unveiled his list of top quarterbacks heading into the 2025 season, many expected to see Texas phenom Arch Manning at the top.
Instead, Klatt shook up the conversation by naming Clemson’s Cade Klubnik as his number one quarterback. The bold ranking has set the college football world abuzz—and for good reason.
Klubnik’s rapid development, leadership, and undeniable statistical performance have positioned him as a top contender in the upcoming season.
According to Klatt, he’s not just the most talented quarterback in the nation—he’s the most complete.
The Joel Klatt Endorsement: More Than Just Hype
Joel Klatt’s QB rankings always garner attention, but this year, his decision to place Klubnik at the summit of college football’s QB hierarchy has sparked particular intrigue.
Klatt is known for his meticulous analysis and for often going against the grain when his film study and statistical models point him in an unconventional direction.
In Klubnik, Klatt sees not only elite arm talent but also a quarterback poised for team success. Klatt predicts that Clemson will rebound from recent seasons and return to national title contention.
A team resurgence combined with Klubnik’s skillset, Klatt argues, will result in the best overall quarterback campaign in college football.
Cade Klubnik’s Breakout 2024 Season
Klubnik’s breakout in 2024 wasn’t just impressive—it was transformational for Clemson’s football program.
The Tigers returned to dominance, winning the ACC title and making a return trip to the College Football Playoff under his leadership.
His numbers tell part of the story:
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Completions/Attempts: 308/486
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Passing Yards: 3,639
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Touchdowns: 36
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Interceptions: 6
Beyond statistics, Klubnik demonstrated command of the offense, poise under pressure, and the kind of consistency that separates good quarterbacks from great ones.
He displayed the maturity to manage close games and the explosiveness to thrive in high-stakes shootouts.
Leadership on and off the Field
Leadership is an intangible that often gets lost in the box score, but for a program like Clemson, it’s crucial.
Klubnik, now entering his third year as a starter, has evolved into the emotional and tactical leader of the team.
Former players and coaches have frequently praised Klubnik’s ability to rally teammates, adjust protections at the line of scrimmage, and stay cool in late-game situations.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has publicly lauded Klubnik’s development as a leader, saying he brings the same type of confidence and clarity to the huddle that past Tiger greats like Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence once did.
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What Separates Klubnik from Arch Manning?
Arch Manning might have the Manning pedigree, but Cade Klubnik has results. While Manning is undoubtedly talented, he has yet to match Klubnik in terms of in-game performance, leadership, or postseason success.
Manning’s 2024 season was solid but lacked the consistent high-level output of Klubnik’s campaign. Texas also fell short of a conference title, and questions linger about how Manning handles adversity. Klubnik, on the other hand, passed nearly every test he faced in 2024 with flying colors.
Klatt acknowledges Manning’s potential but emphasizes that Klubnik is more proven at this stage. “If I’m picking a quarterback for one season right now,” Klatt said, “I’m going with Cade Klubnik.”
Clemson’s 2025 Outlook: A Title Run?
Klubnik’s rise parallels what could be a return to championship form for Clemson. After a few rebuilding years, the Tigers seem poised to make another run at the national title.
Much of that optimism centers around Klubnik’s presence under center.
Clemson’s 2025 roster features a balanced offense, a deep running back room, and an elite-level defense.
With those assets in place, Klubnik will not be asked to carry the team by himself—but he certainly has the ability to do so when needed.
The synergy between Klubnik and new offensive coordinator Marcus Scott also bodes well for continued offensive growth. Their partnership was a big reason for the offense’s step forward in 2024, and both coaches and analysts expect it to flourish further in 2025.
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