NFL Exec Says Cade Klubnik's Setup Needs to be Near Perfect to Get the Best Out of Him

Cade Klubnik has the opportunity to cement himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the 2026 NFL draft with an impressive 2025 campaign, but at least one AFC executive believes things will "have to be near perfect" for him to maximize his talent at the next level.

"I think he has enough to be a fine starter on the next level, but his setup will always have to be near perfect to get the best out of him," the executive said, per ESPN's Jordan Reid.

Reid provided a scouting report for the Clemson signal-caller, noting "he plays with a strong platform and progresses through reads quickly. No matter how muddy the pocket gets, he's able to make tough throws because of his balance, rhythm and repeatable mechanics."

Still, his arm strength and overall size at 6'2" and 210 pounds remain question marks, which could play into the evaluator's opinion about everything needing to be perfect.

Things might be largely perfect for Klubnik this season, though, as the Tigers return receivers Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore and figure to be among the top College Football Playoff contenders in the ACC.

He led them to a conference title and CFP appearance last season while completing 63.4 percent of his passes for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions, which surely put him on the radar of NFL draft evaluators heading into the 2025 campaign.

In April, B/R's NFL Scouting Department projected Klubnik as the No. 9 overall pick in its too-early 2026 mock draft. He was the fourth quarterback selected behind South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers at No. 1, Texas' Arch Manning at No. 2 and Penn State's Drew Allar at No. 7.

All of them could be CFP contenders this season, which could put them in a position where they are competing against each other for a championship and potential draft positioning. 

And perhaps that will allow Klubnik the opportunity to prove any doubters wrong.