Cade Klubnik’s NFL Journey: From Top Prospect to Jets’ Round Four Pick

Entering the 2025 season, expectations were high for former Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik. A season marked by struggles and injuries caused his draft stock to plummet from the first round to the fourth, where he was selected by the New York Jets.

Now, Klubnik faces a fresh start with a team that traded up to acquire him.

"In my mind, I’m a winner," Klubnik told reporters on Saturday, via Rich Cimini of ESPN. "I don't mean that in a boastful way. I think that's the mentality you have to have as a quarterback, and I think that my résumé has kind of showed that as well."

The winning didn’t materialize in 2025. Clemson opened with a 3-5 record before finishing 7-6 overall.

"[Clemson] is a tough place to be," Klubnik said. "It's a really tough place to be. My senior year, with 19 starters coming back and huge aspirations and dreams that we had as a team, we didn't really fulfill those."

Klubnik battled through two major injuries—an ankle and a wrist. The ankle injury left him "pretty much limping into every game" and forced him to take the elevator instead of the stairs at the team facility.

"For me, I think that I really learned how to truly face adversity and just attack it," Klubnik said.

While his NFL playing ability remains unproven, Klubnik demonstrated leadership during the rookie minicamp. He organized teammates for a walk-through at the hotel on Thursday and Friday nights.

"There's not really anything else to do but study ball, so let's get together, walk through a few routes," Klubnik said.

For now, he’ll navigate the pro game step by step, with the hope of eventually taking over the Jets’ offense. Current starter Geno Smith is likely a short-term solution. If Klubnik impresses during the offseason program, training camp, and preseason, he could earn a shot at the starting role.