For three seasons, Cade Klubnik gave everything he had to the Clemson football program.
Now, as the quarterback prepares for the next step in his career, his head coach is making it clear that NFL teams should not overlook him.
Dabo Swinney Issues Strong Endorsement of Cade Klubnik to NFL Teams
At Clemson’s pro day, Dabo Swinney offered a strong endorsement of his former quarterback, pushing back against skepticism that has emerged after a difficult season
“I think his best football’s still in front of him. I think he’s gonna have a great pro career and is gonna play a long time,” Swinney said (per Chapel Fowler). “I think he’s a guy that’s gonna continue to develop and do great things at the next level.”
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney on senior QB Cade Klubnik: “I think his best football’s still in front of him. I think he’s gonna have a great pro career and is gonna play a long time … I think he’s a guy that’s gonna continue to develop and do great things at the next level”
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) March 12, 2026
Swinney has long been known as a coach who strongly supports his players, and this moment was no different. Klubnik may not have finished his Clemson career as many expected, but his effort and leadership never wavered.
The 2025 season was particularly challenging for the Tigers’ offense. Klubnik finished with a PFSN CFB QB Impact Score of 79.2, ranking No. 67 nationally, well below the standard he had previously set.
Just one year earlier, however, Klubnik was considered among the top quarterbacks in college football. In 2024, he posted a QB Impact Score of 82.1, placing him inside the top 10 nationally and generating legitimate first-round buzz heading into the following season.
That earlier production is a major reason scouts continue to see potential. Despite the statistical decline, Klubnik remains firmly on NFL teams’ radars. The PFSN Consensus Big Board currently lists him as the QB4 in the class, and his stock could rise as the draft process continues, particularly in what analysts consider a relatively thin quarterback group for 2026.
The traits that made him a highly touted prospect remain intact. According to PFSN’s scouting report, Klubnik possesses a unique skill set that continues to intrigue evaluators:
“At his best, he’s an electric point-guard style passer in the mold of Bo Nix, with dynamic athleticism, universal off-platform throwing ability, and endless arm-angle freedom.”
That comparison could be encouraging for NFL teams. Nix has carved out a solid professional career, proving that quarterbacks with mobility, creativity, and rhythm-based passing ability can thrive at the next level.”
For Klubnik, the path to the NFL may not be as smooth as once anticipated, but Swinney’s message was clear: do not judge the quarterback solely on one difficult season
If the former Clemson signal-caller can rediscover the form that once placed him among the nation’s elite, he may still prove that his best football is ahead of him.
