Cade Klubnik

● Adequate size, length and definition for the position ● Smooth athlete who can be a factor on quarterback draws and designed runs ● Comfortably works off platform, moves the pocket or throws on the run ● Enough arm strength to make far-hash or drive throws with velocity and anticipation ● Touches up passes on fades or when layering over second-level defenders ● Decision-making and timing improved each season ● Competitive leader and wants the ball in big moments (“oldest sibling theory”) ● Mature, smart and easy to talk to (NFL scout: “He’s an eternal optimist and gets along with everyone in the locker room. … His heart is bigger than his ego.”) ● Fifth quarterback in school history to start 40 games (26-14 record), including streak of 34 consecutive starts ● Set career records for completions and attempts at a school with a recent run of high-level quarterback play

● Could benefit by adding more mass to frame to be stronger in the pocket ● Short-strider and doesn’t always put everything into his passes ● Tends to get stuck on reads and forces the issue ● Prematurely feels pressure, leading to drifts or anxious feet ● Inconsistent pocket movements can affect rhythm and ball placement ● Can be fooled by fire-zone blitzes and disguised pressures ● Scoring dropped from 43 total touchdowns in 2024 to just 20 last season ● Missed one game as a senior after battling high right ankle sprain and quad contusion (Oct. 2025); wore brace on right thumb for Clemson’s 2025 bowl game

A three-year starter at Clemson, Klubnik was efficient in former offensive coordinator Garrett Riley’s balanced, RPO-based scheme (primarily “11” personnel). The top-ranked quarterback recruit four years ago, he started 40 games for the Tigers and finished No. 3 in school history in career passing yards, behind only Tajh Boyd and Deshaun Watson. However, he was inconsistent as a senior and struggled to build off a productive junior year. Klubnik delivers with above-average touch to all levels of the field and shows enough arm strength to drive the ball down the seam or outside the numbers, when his mechanics are sound. He is light on his feet and comfortable moving the pocket, although he has moments of panic under duress, which lead to bad habits and rushed decisions. Overall, Klubnik is a smooth-twitch athlete with the arm talent to make big-time throws, but his inconsistent pocket presence and urgency reading the field need to be addressed. Projecting as a backup, he would benefit from a rollout, rhythm-based passing game to help open throwing lanes.