There is a long way to go before the 2026 NFL Draft, but that doesn’t mean draft websites and analysts haven’t begun looking towards it. And they have an interesting player ranked as the top quarterback for that draft.
ESPN’s Matt Miller and Jordan Reid on Friday published their rankings of the top five college football players per position. At quarterback, both scouts had Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik ranked first.
Klubnik was a five-star quarterback recruit coming out of high school. He was rated as the No. 1 QB in his high school class and was the MVP of the Elite 11. He took big strides last season and put up nice numbers with Clemson, but so far, the Tigers’ results have not been out of this world. They went 10-4 last season after going 9-4 the season before — both with Klubnik as their starter.
As a sophomore in 2023, Klubnik passed for 2,844 yards, 19 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Last season he passed for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He also rushed for 463 yards and 7 touchdowns last season.
Multiple people have been impressed by what they have seen from Klubnik and posting to that effect via social media.
A lot of things to like from #Clemson QB Cade Klubnik here.
— Jared Feinberg (@JRodNFLDraft) June 17, 2025
– progressions
– composure when spilled out of the pocket
– eye discipline off-platform
– accuracy and touch on the move pic.twitter.com/fTEJ0QUTPd
Cade Klubnik is consistently aware of his solutions. And when he knows what he has, he's *so* controlled and composed.
— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) June 10, 2025
Here, the backside SAF triggers on the slot in-breaker, leaving a window for the deep post. Klubnik lofts it right past the help SAF with pressure bearing down. pic.twitter.com/hugDyEtPkP
Few college quarterbacks have shown more improvement in PFF’s grades for passing from one year to the next.
Biggest year over year improvements in PFF Pass Grade among Power 4 QBs since 2018. Cade Klubnik is in some impressive company, but he does have another year to go pic.twitter.com/kSPVKUiYa8
— CFBNumbers (@CFBNumbers) June 19, 2025
Klubnik has room to get even better for the upcoming season.
