Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik spoke with reporters on Friday at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
After spending four years at Clemson and leading the Tigers’ offense as the starting signal-caller for the last three years, Klubnik says he’s ready to bring that leadership to the NFL.
“Definitely a vocal leader. I feel like I’ve always been that way,” Klubnik said in an interview on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. “I also lead by example. So, I want to push people to be the best that they can be, and if something’s not right, I’m not afraid to go fix it. And I want to push people to be the best that they can be every single day, whether it’s vocally or leading by example.”
Klubnik passed for 10,123 yards with 73 touchdowns and 24 interceptions during his Clemson career spanning 49 games (40 starts) from 2022-25. He also rushed for 878 yards and 17 touchdowns on 369 carries.
The former five-star prospect finished his Clemson career with 11,001 yards of total offense, becoming the fourth quarterback in school history to reach the 11,000-yard mark. Klubnik leaves Clemson as the school record-holder in pass completions (916) and pass attempts (1,432), third in passing yards and fourth in passing touchdowns, total touchdown responsibility (90) and yards of total offense.
Klubnik posted a 26-14 record as a starter, concluding his career fifth in wins by a starting quarterback in school history. He is one of six Tiger quarterbacks since World War II to win at least 25 games as a starting quarterback, and he became the third two-time ACC Championship Game MVP all-time.
Prior to his time in Tigertown, Klubnik guided Westlake High School in Austin, Texas to three consecutive state championships from 2019-2021, including the final two years as the starter. He became the first quarterback to go undefeated as a starter while winning back-to-back state titles in Texas’ highest classification since Allen’s Kyler Murray. Klubnik played in 38 career games (including 37 Westlake wins), including a 27-0 mark as a starter his last two years.
In his high school career, Klubnik completed 70 percent of his passes for 7,426 yards and 86 touchdowns against just seven interceptions, adding 197 carries for 1,319 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns.
With all the success Klubnik has had at the high school and college levels, who does he credit for helping him have that success and get to where he is today?
“I think first off, just start with my parents and my family and my siblings, just how much that they’ve poured into me and I’ve been able to lean on them,” Klubnik said, via content creator Bryce DeGroat. “Just really pushed me to be my best, and just caring for who I am as a person more than a player is probably one of the biggest things. My coaches, my teammates that I’m here with. Just so thankful for them. Just had breakfast with four of my college teammates… Just really thankful for all the people that I’ve been able to live life with.”
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. Longtime ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Klubnik as the No. 7 quarterback in this year’s draft class.
You can check out more from Klubnik’s media interviews at the NFL Combine below:
