Devy Diamonds: Cade Klubnik, Quarterback, Clemson
Welcome to Devy Diamonds: Klubnik was a five-star prospect out of Westlake High School in Austin, Texas. He was QB2 in the nation according to 247sports for the class of 2022. Klubnik had over 25 Division-1 offers, however his last offer was from Clemson in February of 2021. Clemson did something right because a few days later Klubnik committed to Clemson in March of 2021.
Klubnik saw opportunity his freshman season. However, he was only sprinkled in here and there until he got full reps in the ACC championship against North Carolina. In that game, he had 83.3% completion for 279 yards and one touchdown. Klubnik’s first full time start help lead Clemson to an ACC title. However, it became a complete opposite outcome in the Capital One Orange Bowl against Tennessee. In this game, Klubnik threw for more yards (320), but struggled with his completions. He completed 55.6% of his passes and threw two interceptions. The Tennessee defense brought the pressure all day and connected with four sacks that game.
In year two, Klubnik became the full time starter. He completed 63.9% of his passes with 2,844 passing yards. His 19 touchdowns were impressive, but his nine interceptions raised some concerns. Plus, the pressure Tennessee had on him during the Capital One Orange Bowl followed him into his second season. Klubnik was sacked 28 times this year. The improvement was there is some aspects of Klubnik’s game, however, so were the inconsistencies.
This season, Klubnik is on pace to throw for 3,147 yards and 34 touchdowns. He has cleaned up his vision and is avoiding those inconsistencies we saw last season. Through seven weeks, Klubnik has only thrown three interceptions. This could be due to Klubnik having better protection in the pocket this season. Klubnik has been sacked only five times through seven games. Plus, he has been more efficient in the running game. Klubnik already has four rushing touchdowns which ties his 2023 season. He is averaging 5.5 yards-per-carry on 41 rushing attempts which equates to 227 yards. After last year’s dip the rankings due to lack of production, Klubnik has emerged as a true leader for Clemson. He currently has the team ranked at number nine in the country!
Strengths:
- Athleticism. Klubnik possesses the athletic ability to escape pressure and extend plays with his legs. His fluidity in the pocket adds an extra layer to his offensive game. At times his athleticism allows him to use his mobility to gain yards when the pocket collapses.
- Arm Talent. He has a strong arm capable of making NFL caliber throws. His arm strength allows him to be accurate on deep passes, but his touch allows him to act with precision when targeting tight windows.
- Poise Under Pressure. Klubnik has grown through his career which has allowed him to maintain composure in high-pressure situations. He remains calm and focused, allowing him to make sound decisions even when the pressure collapses the pocket.
- Playmaking Ability. He is adept at improvising when plays break down, using his athleticism to create opportunities. His ability to think on his feet and adjust to changing situations makes him challenging for defenses to contain.
- Field Vision. Klubnik scans the field well. His field awareness helps him effectively distribute the ball to different receivers.
Areas of Improvement
- Inconsistency. Although he has improved, he can still struggle with consistent performances. At times, he may make poor decisions which can lead to turnovers and stalled drives.
- Throwing Mechanics. While he has a strong arm, Klubnik’s throwing mechanics can sometimes be unrefined. Issues such as a low release point or improper footwork may affect his accuracy and timing. This plays an impact on his deeper throws.
- Identifying Complex Defenses. When faced with complex defensive schemes, Klubnik has shown difficulty in making the right reads and adjustments. This can result in missed opportunities.
- Decision-Making. This has improved over the years, but he still has some rough edges around his decision making. At times he forces throws into coverage or holds onto the ball too long, resulting in sacks or turnovers.
Draft Stock: Eligible 2025
Consensus Projected Draft Capital: Day Two Prospect
Personal Projected Draft Capital: Day Two Prospect
Ideal Landing Spot: New York Jets
The team that keeps coming to mind is the New York Jets. Yes, they drafted former Florida State quarterback, Jordan Travis, last season. However, Travis had a season ending injury late last year which has caused him to miss majority of his rookie campaign. Maybe there is a fear that Travis could not recover to his former self pre-injury. Having depth at the quarterback position is critical, especially with an aging Aaron Rodgers under center. Adding a quarterback like Klubnik provides insurance and competition. Klubnik, with his high football IQ and mobility, presents a skill set that could complement the Jets’ offensive system. His ability to extend plays mirrors some of Rodgers’ traits. This makes him an intriguing developmental piece. If Travis struggles to recover or adapt, Klubnik could offer a viable long-term solution.
Drafting Klubnik would allow him to learn and grow behind Rodgers without immediate pressure to start. Like Rodgers, Klubnik has a natural ability to throw on the run, make precise downfield passes, and maintain composure under pressure. Sitting behind a future Hall of Famer could be invaluable for Klubnik’s development. This will give him the time needed to adjust and refine his skills for the NFL level. Additionally, Rodgers’ mentorship would offer Klubnik insights into reading defenses and leading an offense. With Rodgers likely nearing the end of his career, investing in a talented prospect like Klubnik might be the wise choice. This ensure the Jets have a plan in place if Travis does not pan out or if Rodgers retires sooner than expected.
Fantasy Impact
Klubnik offers the ability to deliver accurate deep passes, which can result in big-play touchdowns. His precision downfield not only increases the value of wideouts on his team but also makes him a viable fantasy starter. Klubnik’s passing ability can translate into consistent fantasy points, especially against weaker secondaries. This consistency makes him a potential high-upside quarterback option. In addition to his passing, Klubnik’s ability to extend plays with his legs adds another valuable dimension to his fantasy profile. He has the speed and awareness to escape collapsing pockets and pick up extra yardage. This dual-threat ability adds another layer to his fantasy value. Even when facing tough defenses, his mobility ensures he can generate points with his feet. This gives him the potential for a higher floor than pure pocket passers. He offers the possibility to be a low-end QB1, but will likely become a stable QB2 for fantasy football teams.
Thank you for checking out Devy Diamonds: Cade Klubnik. Follow @TheFFUniverse on X to stay tuned for future Devy Diamonds, our rankings, and much more fantasy football insight to help you stay ahead of your leagues, and check out our Rankings Page. Also, check out the full video breakdown on The Fantasy Football Universe YouTube Channel.
