Field Yates: Cade Klubnik emerging as college football’s most 'solidified' quarterback

ESPN’s Field Yates joined Get Up on Wednesday to dish on college quarterbacks heading into the 2025 season. He believes Cade Klubnik is the most “solidified” signal-caller in the sport this season.

With a keen eye on the 2026 NFL Draft, the ESPN NFL analyst waxed poetic about the Clemson star, believing he’s only scratching the surface of his potential: “It’s Cade Klubnik from Clemson,” Yates stated, regarding the most solidified quarterback in college football. “We’ve now seen him start for two seasons, and he’s played in 38 career games.

“He’s got over 1,000 career passing attempts. Last year he had a remarkable season — 43 total touchdowns — and he’s already in the top five for most major passing categories at Clemson. He completed just under 64% of his passes last year, but I think he’s a more accurate thrower than that number suggests.

“On top of that, he’s the real deal athletically. Klubnik rushed for nearly 500 yards last season, and keep in mind, in college football, quarterbacks lose rushing yards for sacks. Without that, he could’ve been close to 600.

“He’s a very good leader, a very good processor. They’ve got a big test this weekend against LSU, but I expect them to handle business in what should be a great top-10 matchup to kick off a potentially huge season for a loaded Clemson roster.”

That’s high praise from Yates, but he’s far from the only believer in Klubnik. Jordan Rodgers of SEC Network also joined the show, highlighting the Clemson star’s ability with the deep ball as something that separates him from the pack.

“His athletic ability is unbelievable. But going into year two with Garrett Riley’s system, it’s his ability to push the ball downfield that stands out,” Rodgers added. “He led the country with 16 passing touchdowns on throws of 20 or more air yards.

“That ability to stretch the field vertically unlocks everything at the college level. When defenses have to drop two or three safeties and corners deep in coverage, it opens up the run game, it opens up the quick game. Klubnik is so good pushing the ball downfield. And with two dynamic receivers in Bryant Wesco and TJ Moore, both true sophomores, I think that vertical passing is what separates him while he still remains efficient.”

It’s easy to turn on the tape and become a believer in Cade Klubnik. Clemson has all the potential in the world in 2025, but it’ll be up to their quarterback to ensure they make good on it. If the Tigers can make some serious noise, the No. 1 pick conversation will grow louder for their signal-caller.