Cade Klubnik is a quarterback from Clemson who is ranked No. 124 on my NFL Draft Top 100 Big Board. This comprehensive scouting report analyzes Klubnik’s draft potential, current mock draft trends, and where he ranks among the top prospects.
Cade Klubnik’s NFL Draft Potential
Cade Klubnik entered the 2026 NFL Draft cycle as a potential QB1 candidate, after throwing for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, and just six interceptions in his second season as the Tigers’ full-time starter. A former five-star recruit and Texas high school legend, the 6’2″, 210-pound Klubnik looks like a dynamic Bo Nix-style passer in his best moments, with high-end athleticism, off-platform hip flexibility, arm elasticity and angle freedom, and a measured distribution style.
Having said all this, Klubnik starkly regressed in the early weeks of the 2025 season, and while his play and stock have recovered somewhat, it’s clear that he’s not the Round 1 prospect that was first envisioned. Klubnik still brings quality tools to the table with his athleticism, arm talent, and out-of-structure ability, and his competitive toughness is admirable. However, his processing does not appear to be on par with the standards of an NFL starter, and lapses in situational precision have also plagued him at times when attempting to drive the ball.
At the moment, Klubnik grades as an early-to-mid Day 3 pick on my board. If he can build on the glimpses of leverage identification and manipulation that are present on film, he could grow to become a spot-starter or mid-level starter in time. Presently, he projects as a developmental QB and likely NFL backup, who’ll be most at home in a scheme that allows him to distribute on-rhythm, move the pocket, and create with his legs and his arm.
CFB Week 11 Update
Klubnik was efficient in Clemson’s win over Florida State. He completed 20 of 27 pass attempts for 221 yards and a touchdown, and he also ran for a score. By now, Klubnik’s 2026 NFL Draft stock is less elastic. He’s likely settled into Day 3 range barring a strong All-Star cycle, but some of his redeeming qualities — athleticism, creative ability, and touch — do still show up from week to week.
CFB Week 12 Update
Klubnik was pedestrian in Clemson’s Week 12 win over Louisville, completing 22 of 34 attempts for just 187 yards. He protected the ball and didn’t set his team back often, but he also didn’t generate game-changing plays or serve as a primary catalyst under center. At the very least, Klubnik has helped the Tigers re-enter bowl contention, but he’s still a Day 3 prospect at best.
Where Is Klubnik Being Selected Most Often in the PFSN Mock Draft Simulator?
Klubnik currently holds the No. 199 overall rank among prospects, reflecting his standing among mid-round prospects. His most recent Average Draft Position (ADP) of 211.7 as of November 19 reflects that he is typically being selected in the middle rounds.
The gap between his rank and ADP indicates that while he’s highly regarded on our board, draft simulators are seeing him slide slightly, possibly due to team needs or positional value considerations.
Users controlling the have been the team that selected Klubnik the most frequently over the past week, accounting for 0.0% of their picks across all seven rounds.
Ready to run your own draft? Head over to the free PFSN Mock Draft Simulator and be the GM of your favorite team!
Where Does Cade Klubnik Rank Amongst Other NFL Draft Prospects?
Klubnik is currently ranked No. 124 overall in my November 2026 NFL Draft Big Board. Among QB prospects, Klubnik ranks 12th at the position, trailing prospects like Ty Simpson, Fernando Mendoza, Dante Moore.
Want to see how we rank all the draft prospects in the PFSN Mock Draft Simulator? Check out our NFL Draft Prospect Rankings page, which includes more than 750 prospects.
