Clemson QB Cade Klubnik Struggles to Take Care of the Football

Watching Clemson quarterback (QB) Cade Klubnik is like watching two different prospects, which has hurt his chances in the 2025 NFL Draft.

It was textbook “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.”

Nothing will get an NFL team beat faster than inconsistency from the game’s most important position.

The longer I studied Klubnik on film, the more tired I got watching him play. For every awesome throw, there was another that left me shaking my head.

And this was at the college level.

The NFL will only be faster and more complex.

Big time recruit

At times in these 13 games, there were plays when I could see why Sports Illustrated rated him as the “No. 1 QB in the country,” coming out of high school.

He flashes big-time ability on film.

When he drops back and gets the ball out of hand quickly (like he shows he can), he delivered some beautiful NFL quality throws at the intermediate route level (11-19 yards). That’s the allure.

He showed he could lace it into some small throwing windows in tight coverage.

Inconsistent throwing mechanics

Everything begins and ends here for every quarterback not named Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs QB).

While Klubnik shows he can make timely sharp throws, there’s another pervasive side to his game.

There’s the side when he holds the ball too long in the pocket and the inconsistent footwork that throws everything for a loop.

No pun intended.

Holding the ball too long also forces him to run a lot (125 carries in 2023) when the pocket crumbles.

Ball security issues

This is one of the most desirable traits for quarterbacks in the NFL ⎯quarterbacks who demonstrate they can take care of the football and keep it out of harm’s way.

That’s not Klubnik.

In this full-season film breakdown, I charted 42 passes broken up by defenders in 13 games (3.23 per game average). In addition to that, this Clemson QB threw another nine interceptions last season, which tied him for eighth-most in the FBS.

I tallied six more times defenders caused him to fumble in the pocket, whether or not his team recovered was irrelevant to me. He fumbled.

Despite his positives on film, his recklessness with the football is a serious issue.

Inaccurate deep

I charted 25 deep passing attempts (+19 yards), and Klubnik completed eight of those (32%). His deep passes were one of the worst parts of his game, with all the underthrows and overthrows.

His deep attempts mostly looked like ’50-50′ balls, which are passes QBs throw up and hope for the best.

Granted, Klubnik was able to draw some pass interference calls on these roll-of-the-dice throws, and frankly, that seemed to be a more effective strategy than counting on him to get it there accurately.

#2 Cade Klubnik 6-foot-2, 205 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 Summer Grade: UDFA (I wouldn’t sign him)

Projected by 9.6% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of June 20, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2023 game film reviewed: Miami, FSU, Duke, Kentucky, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, South Carolina, Charleston Southern, Florida Atlantic, Syracuse, Wake Forest, NC State, and Notre Dame (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Athletic heartbreaker with a lively arm. Looks like he is leaning on his natural ability and isn’t learning the college game. Capable of looking quick and twitchy in the pocket. Quick natural reflexes and reactions. Nimble feet. Poised in the face of the pass rush. Keeps eyes downfield. Inconsistent progressions. An erratic internal clock causes things to bog down. Can throw some darts on slants. Mediocre accuracy and placement overall short, intermediate, and deep. Subject to a lot of drops. Relies too much on arm strength. Lacks discipline and patience. Concerning decision-making. Avoids some sacks and yardage losses by throwing it away. Tries to do too much. Tendency to fall apart playing from behind (Miami, FSU, Duke). Tough competitive and scrappy runner with building speed. Flashed burst, but isn’t beating a defense on his feet. Doesn’t like to slide or go out of bounds.

What to watch for during the 2024 college football season

1. Ball security (pass breakups, interceptions, and fumbles)?

2. Time to throw?

3. Protecting his body when running?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.