There was a time, just 1 year ago, when Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik seemed like a sure bet to be 1 of the quarterbacks selected in the 1st round of the 2026 NFL draft.
Instead, Klubnik seemed to get exposed in his final college season and watched the bottom fall out on his draft stock, with ESPN’s Jordan Reid dropping him all the way to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 6th round (No. 195 overall) in his latest 7-round mock draft released on Monday.
It’s a long, hard fall from where Klubnik was projected last spring.
“Star: Clemson QB Cade Klubnik is rated as the No. 1 QB in the 2026 NFL Draft class, according to Mel Kiper and Matt Miller,” NFL influencer Dov Kleiman wrote on his official X account in May 2025. “Klubnik in 2024 threw for a career-high 3,639 yards, 36 TDs, and 6 INTs with a 63.4 completion percentage in 14 games. He also rushed for 463 yards and seven TDs. Is Klubnik the best signal caller in next year’s class?”
Kiper Still Believes Klubnik Could Be 3rd QB Taken
Not everyone has totally cut bait on Klubnik.
Kiper still believes there’s a chance he could be the 3rd quarterback selected following projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza and Alabama’s Ty Simpson.
Now, Klubnik finds himself in a group with Carson Beck, Garrett Nussmeier, and Cole Payton as the possible next man up.
“He’s right there in that mix,” Kiper told TigerNet on April 17. “They’re all close enough that it wouldn’t surprise me if any one of those guys went third. I love his athletic ability. He throws a pretty accurate ball to me. I love the energy he brings.”
Klubnik’s numbers took a significant dip from his standout junior season in 2024, in which he threw for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, watching those numbers drop to 2,943 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions in 2025.
“Cade Klubnik was disappointing in 2025,” NFL Draft Files wrote on its official X account. “But I still believe he’s comfortably an NFL talent and will be a high-end backup. Round 3-4 grade in my opinion.”
Bucs in Desperate Need of Reliable Backup QB
The Buccaneers are in pretty desperate need of a reliable backup quarterback after turning to veteran Teddy Bridgewater in 2025 despite signing longtime backup Kyle Trask to a 1-year, $2.78 million contract in March, but released him in favor of Bridgewater during training camp.
The Buccaneers hosted a quarterback with a similar skill set to Klubnik recently for a Top 30 visit with Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels.
Reid’s prediciton for Klubnik falls in line with NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein, who also has Klubnik projected as a 6th round pick.
“Much was expected of Klubnik after a strong showing in 2024, but his play and production declined in 2025,” Zierlein wrote. “He’s undersized but athletic and shows an ability to attack zone windows with adequate velocity over the first two levels. He can make some timing throws with anticipation when in rhythm. However, when the first read isn’t there, his field vision is average and he’s not good enough off-platform/out of structure to succeed at a high enough rate. The accuracy numbers to most areas of the field fall below the mark, but tape study shows a high drop count by his receivers.”
Prediction Brings Bucs Formerly Projected 1st Round QB on Day 3