Cade Klubnik is headed to Frisco, Texas, for one more shot to remind NFL scouts why he was once considered one of the top quarterback prospects in the country.
The former Clemson signal-caller will suit up for the East team in the East-West Shrine Bowl on Jan. 27 (7 p.m. ET, NFL Network), a key opportunity for draft-eligible players to showcase their talent in front of NFL evaluators. For Klubnik, it’s more than just a postseason exhibition - it’s a chance to rebuild momentum after a rocky 2025 season that saw his draft stock take a hit.
A Big Stage After a Bumpy Season
Coming into the 2025 season, Klubnik had the spotlight squarely on him. He was a Heisman Trophy candidate, a projected first-round pick, and the face of a Clemson program looking to return to national prominence.
And based on his junior year numbers, the hype was justified - 3,639 passing yards (10th in the nation), 36 touchdowns (third), just six picks, plus 463 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground. That kind of production turns heads in NFL front offices.
But 2025 didn’t go to plan. Klubnik’s numbers dipped across the board - 2,943 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, six interceptions, and just 94 yards on the ground with four rushing scores.
Clemson’s offense struggled to find rhythm, and Klubnik’s decision-making and consistency came under scrutiny. As a result, his draft projection slid from early-round buzz to a more uncertain middle-to-late round outlook.
Still, with several top quarterbacks returning to school - including Oregon’s Dante Moore and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers - the door is open for Klubnik to climb back up the board. And the Shrine Bowl is the first step in that process.
Where Klubnik Stands in the Draft Conversation
Even with the downturn in production, Klubnik remains firmly in the mix among this year’s quarterback class. ESPN’s Jordan Reid and Mel Kiper have him slotted as the eighth-best QB in the draft.
Field Yates is a bit more bullish, ranking him fifth. CBS Sports puts him fourth, while Pro Football Focus has him at No.
That range reflects the uncertainty around his evaluation - the tools are there, the experience is there, but scouts will want to see how he performs in a pro-style setting, especially during the week of Shrine Bowl practices and interviews. It’s not just about game day; it’s about how he absorbs coaching, handles pressure, and competes alongside other top-tier talent.
Klubnik’s Clemson Legacy
Regardless of how the draft process shakes out, Klubnik leaves Clemson with a legacy of production and leadership. He’s third in program history in passing yards (10,123), and his 901 completions are the most ever by a Clemson quarterback - good for fourth in ACC history. He’s also just the fourth Tiger to surpass 11,000 yards of total offense in a career.
He led Clemson to two ACC titles (2022, 2024) and helped snap a three-year College Football Playoff drought in 2024. His final college outing came in the Pinstripe Bowl against Penn State, where he went 22-of-39 for 193 yards. Not a storybook ending, but a solid performance that capped a career filled with both promise and perseverance.
Other Tigers in the Shrine Bowl
Klubnik won’t be the only Clemson representative in Frisco. Defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart and offensive lineman Tristan Leigh will also take the field.
Capehart, a sixth-year senior, wrapped up his Tigers career with 72 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and two pass deflections across 57 games and 12 starts. Leigh, a stalwart on the offensive line, played 2,202 snaps over 42 games with 33 starts from 2021 to 2025. Both will be looking to leave a strong final impression on scouts.
The Quarterback Field at the Shrine Bowl
Klubnik will share East team QB duties with Kansas’ Jalon Daniels, Virginia Tech’s Kyron Drones, and Texas Tech’s Behren Morton - each with their own unique strengths and questions heading into the draft. On the West side, the quarterback room includes UConn’s Joe Fagnano, Iowa’s Mark Gronowski, Georgia Tech’s Haynes King, and Louisville’s Miller Moss.
It’s a deep group, and the practices throughout the week will be just as important as the game itself. Klubnik will need to stand out in drills, interviews, and team meetings - all of which are closely watched by NFL decision-makers.
What the Shrine Bowl Means
The East-West Shrine Bowl is more than a game - it’s the longest-running college all-star event in the country, and a critical part of the pre-draft process. Players must be either seniors or underclassmen who’ve officially declared for the draft and are eligible to participate.
Throughout the week, players go through NFL-style practices, team interviews, and evaluations that mimic the structure and intensity of the league. For someone like Klubnik, who’s trying to reassert himself as a legitimate NFL prospect, it’s a golden opportunity to show growth, maturity, and pro-readiness.
What’s Next for Klubnik
The path to the NFL isn’t always linear. For Cade Klubnik, the Shrine Bowl represents a chance to reset the narrative.
He’s got the college resume, the arm talent, and the experience. Now, it’s about proving he can put it all together in a pro setting.
If he can flash the poise and playmaking ability that once made him a Heisman hopeful, there’s still time to climb back into the good graces of NFL scouts. And it all starts under the lights in Frisco.