Every year, there seems to be a collegiate quarterback that skyrockets up NFL Draft boards right before the big day. Despite the 2026 class looking incredibly bleak right now outside of Fernando Mendoza,
it’s safe to say that one or two guys will be gaining some early-round traction leading up to April.
The most recent examples of this are Jaxson Dart and Tyler Shough from last year’s draft. Neither of those players were seen as early-round talents until things started heating up for them around February or March.
One player who could definitely see that Jaxson Dart-type rise in 2026 is Clemson’s Cade Klubnik.
Though he had quite a bit of hype entering his senior year in 2025, Clemson as a team was incredibly underwhelming due to multiple issues. Klubnik obviously fell out of the spotlight early on in the season but still managed to put together a fairly productive year throwing the football.
2025 Stats:
- 65.6% comp.
- 2,943 passing yards
- 16 TDs
- 6 INTs
- 7.5 Y/A
- 11.5 Y/C
- 4 rushing TDs
One of the best words to describe Klubnik is toolsy. He’s not going to “wow” you with some of his throws but he provides you with plus-arm talent while being able to manipulate defenders with his legs. He has great size as well at 6’2.5”, 215 lbs, and has played very well in big games throughout his career at Clemson.
All of the intangibles are there for Klubnik and he’s able to do everything that Jaxson Dart can in terms of using his athleticism to punish defenses sitting in man coverage all game long. Klubnik’s top-end speed might not be up to Dart’s level but he can still be effective on designed QB runs.
Nowadays, quarterbacks are incredibly attractive to NFL teams if they start lots of game in college, can make plays with their legs, and are effective under pressure. Klubnik undoubtedly has done or possesses all three of those things, so don’t be surprised if Klubnik shoots up draft boards after the Senior Bowl this year.
