ESPN published anonymous intel on the top quarterbacks in college football, including Clemson’s Cade Klubnik.

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg “spoke with coaches and others around the sport to assess several of the more notable quarterbacks,” and the commentary on Klubnik varied to a certain extent.

One SEC coach says Klubnik has “gotten so much better” since the start of the 2024 season – the beginning of his second full season as Clemson’s starting quarterback.

In Clemson’s 34-3 loss to Georgia in last year’s season opener, Klubnik went 18-of-29 passing for 142 yards with no touchdown passes and one interception.

Fast forward to the end of last year, and Klubnik was far more impressive against Texas in the College Football Playoff first-round game. Though the Tigers lost in Austin, 38-24, Klubnik carved up the Longhorns’ defense like nobody else did last season, throwing for 336 yards — the most by an opposing player against Texas last season — and three touchdowns.

“He’s gotten so much better,” an SEC coach said, via Rittenberg. “When you watch him versus Georgia [in the 2024 opener] to the Texas game, it’s incredible. What makes him dangerous is his ability to tuck the ball and get vertical. … Their best play is quarterback draw.”

Overall, in 14 games as a junior last season, Klubnik completed 63.4 percent of his passes for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns with six interceptions, while rushing for 463 yards and seven more scores on the ground.

Klubnik was one of two quarterbacks in the country to throw for more than 3,500 yards and run for 400 last season. The former five-star prospect from Texas also finished second nationally in total touchdowns with 43. He was third nationally in touchdown passes with 36, and his six interceptions were second fewest among quarterbacks who threw 28 or more touchdown passes in 2024.

“He’s not just like a pure dropback, that’s not him,” a Power 4 defensive coordinator said of Klubnik, via Rittenberg. “He’s good at that, but that’s not his strength. It’s when he has to create something, that’s what makes him dangerous.”

Heading into the 2025 campaign, Klubnik is widely viewed as a Heisman Trophy candidate and is widely projected to be a high first-round pick in next year’s NFL Draft, if not the No. 1 overall pick.

However, at least one ACC coach doesn’t appear to be as high on Klubnik as many other people are entering this season.

“He’s good, but he ain’t Trevor Lawrence,” an ACC coach said, via Rittenberg. “I don’t think he’s a first-rounder. He’s a good player, but if it’s covered, he’s not throwing it. He doesn’t have the faith to do that.”

Klubnik and his fourth-ranked Clemson team kick off the 2025 season against No. 9 LSU at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium on Saturday night (7:30 p.m., ABC).