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4 hours ago
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Cade Klubnik figures to be in conversation to be the number one overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft. It's a pretty open race right now, but the Clemson standout is one of the best signal-callers in college football. How good is he? According to PFF, he's the best quarterback returning this year, which is something few thought was possible in the early days of his career.
PFF's Max Chadwick said, "There might not have been a more improved quarterback in college football this past season than Klubnik. After placing 102nd among FBS signal-callers in 2023 with a 63.9 PFF passing grade, he ranked fifth in 2024 with an 87.7 mark. Only Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders threw more touchdowns than the junior (36)," and those two got drafted, with Ward going first overall.
The Clemson quarterback also ranked fifth in big-time throws with 28." Chadwick added, "The top quarterback recruit in the 2022 class is finally starting to live up to the hype and has the potential to take a loaded Clemson roster to the promised land as a senior." Klubnik outranks all of his peers, with only Sam Leavitt and Carson Beck coming in close.
There may be a freshman or incoming college QB that could end up being better than Klubnik, but no current player who has a grade from last season is ranked higher than the Clemson star. A few years ago, he looked like a failed recruit, and now he could lead Clemson back to the promised land. If nothing else, he could end up as a franchise quarterback at the next level.
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