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A fourth-round pick doesn’t usually generate much buzz as a future difference-maker, but not everyone around the NFL views Cade Klubnik that way.
In a recent FOX Sports roundup, NFL scouts were asked which quarterback from this year’s rookie class has the best chance to significantly outperform expectations. The former Clemson football standout received the most support, with evaluators pointing to his combination of physical ability and football intelligence as reasons he could eventually become one of the biggest steals from the 2026 NFL Draft.

One scout believes Klubnik has the talent to succeed, but said he’ll need the right environment to reach his ceiling.
“The tools are all there: the arm, the athletic ability, and he’s really smart. His big flaw is that he can be pressured into bad decisions,” the scout told FOX Sports. “That’s a worry for someone with as much experience as he had. … He was just starting to look like himself again when he got hurt last year. He started a little slow, but it was coming along. The injury changed everything. … I never thought he was a can’t-miss prospect. He’s not as cool under pressure as (Fernando) Mendoza. But had he stayed healthy he probably could’ve been a second-rounder. Maybe late first. … On the right team he could be good. Just keep the pressure off him and he’s got the skills to make things happen. But he has to be in a better situation than he’s in right now.”
While Klubnik missed time during OTAs because of back soreness, the Jets have liked what they’ve seen from the rookie whenever he’s been on the field. Quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave recently spoke about Klubnik’s early progress and the traits that stood out throughout the evaluation process.
“Cade’s done well, Cade’s jumped right in. He’s very eager to get this thing and figure it out,” Musgrave said, per NewYorkJets.com.

“He’s coming in every single day; he’s ready to rock and roll. His Pro Day, he might’ve ran 4.57 so he can move…he’s got a lot of athletic skills and we’ll try to harness them and have him get good at this football thing at the pro level…
“We kind of studied the grip on the football, he’s got plenty good grip, so there’s not a lot of slipping in mid-motion. Those balls are not coming unraveled when he throws them, they’re not flying coasters by any means. He throws a nice, tight spiral and he really has a great skillset. I don’t think we could be any more excited to work with the young guy than we are.”
Klubnik entered the NFL after rewriting Clemson’s record book. During his three seasons as the Tigers’ starter, he became the program’s all-time leader in completions and pass attempts while finishing among the school’s top four in passing yards, passing touchdowns, total offense and total touchdowns responsible for. New York traded up to draft him with the No. 110 overall pick, and if the scouts who spoke with FOX Sports are right, that investment could end up paying off well beyond where he was selected.

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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: New York Jets QB Cade Klubnik viewed as hidden gem of 2026 NFL Draft
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