Cade Klubnik is headed to the Big Apple to begin his professional career.

The former Clemson quarterback was selected on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, who took Klubnik in the fourth round with the 110th overall pick – the 10th pick of Round 4.

Not only did the Jets get Klubnik, but they traded up to get him, dealing away two fourth-round picks (Nos. 128 and 140) to the Cincinnati Bengals in order to move up 18 spots and grab him.

During a post-draft press conference, Jets general manager Darren Mougey gave his evaluation of Klubnik, and explained why the team decided to trade up for him.

“I felt really good about Cade,” Mougey said. “Obviously last year, evaluating all those quarterbacks going into this year, we had good grades on Cade going into this year. You watch him this year – he got hurt early and was playing hurt much of the year, and that team kind of struggled. But was excited to get around him at the combine.

“Had a great combine interview, which sparked us to want to get down to Clemson and work him out and spend some more time with him. We went down there, and it was great exposure being there on campus with him, in the room, talking ball. Felt very natural. Felt like there was a connection there. Getting on the field, doing the workout, he showed well. So, felt really good about Cade, a young player who has a lot of experience.”

Klubnik was a two-time ACC Champion at Clemson, winning the game’s MVP Award in both championship games (2022, 24), while also leading the Tigers back to the College Football Playoff in 2024.

After a stellar junior campaign in which he completed 63.4 percent of his passes for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2024 while guiding Clemson to a 10-4 record, Klubnik and the Tigers as a team had a highly disappointing 7-6 season in 2025, when Klubnik completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 2,943 yards, 16 touchdowns and six picks.

Klubnik was considered a potential first-round pick during his career at Clemson, especially in the offseason prior to his senior campaign last year. Though his senior season did not go as planned, he still finished his time in Tigertown with one of the more productive careers in Clemson history.

A former five-star prospect from Austin, Texas, Klubnik exited Clemson as the school-record-holder in pass completions (916) and pass attempts (1,432), third in passing yards (10,123), fourth in passing touchdowns (73), total touchdown responsibility (90) and total offense (11,001). He also joined Rodney Williams (44), Tajh Boyd (40), Nealon Greene (40) and Charlie Whitehurst (40) as the fifth quarterback in Clemson history to start at least 40 career games at quarterback.

Klubnik posted a 26-14 record as a starter, concluding his career fifth in wins by a starting quarterback in school history.

Mougey says the Jets “feel really good” about being able to land Klubnik.

“He played a lot of snaps in high school,” Mougey added. “30-0 record in Texas. Went to Clemson as a young 17-year-old. Three-year starter at Clemson. Won a lot of games there. Unfortunately had a down year this year, but still young, athletic with some upside, and feel really good about being able to get him.”

After he was drafted, Klubnik said he really appreciates the Jets’ move to trade up for him.

“It means a lot,” Klubnik said. “It means a lot. I don’t really know what else to say – it means a lot to me. It shows their interest in me, and I was really hoping for this. I kind of woke up this morning thinking, ‘I hope the Jets pick me.’ I had a feeling that they were going to pick me, at least.”