
NFL Draft expert Todd McShay likes Cade Klubnik's game, gives an NFL player comp
NFL Draft expert Todd McShay likes Cade Klubnik's game, gives an NFL player comp
Former ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay had high praise for Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik this week, offering a notable NFL comparison as Klubnik prepares for his senior season.
On The McShay Show, McShay said Klubnik reminds him of Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, noting similarities in their feel for chaos and improvisation.
'I see a lot of Bo Nix in this kid,' McShay said. 'He's great when the play breaks down — climbing the pocket, sidestepping pressure. It's almost soothing for him. He also has that elastic arm. The ball comes out with more energy than you expect.'
McShay said he underestimated Nix during his time at Auburn but came to appreciate his development at Oregon. He now sees those same traits in Klubnik — mobility, size, arm flexibility, and poise under pressure — though he made clear that the comparison was about style, not necessarily ceiling.
Klubnik enters the 2025 season as a potential first-round pick and legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate. In 2024, he threw for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns and just six interceptions, while rushing for 463 yards and seven more scores. He was one of only two FBS quarterbacks to throw for over 3,500 yards and rush for more than 400. His 43 total touchdowns were second most in the country.
In McShay's Way-Too-Early 2026 NFL Mock Draft, he projected Klubnik to the Cleveland Browns at No. 5 overall, calling Clemson's roster 'possibly the most talented Dabo Swinney has had in a decade.'
Stephen Muench, McShay's co-host, offered a different comp: veteran NFL quarterback Matthew Stafford.
'I think both Stafford and Klubnik are very tough, very smart,' Muench said. 'He makes confident throws, gets to his third read. That's what you want to see in a next-level guy.'
With both arm talent and experience, Klubnik will be a quarterback to watch closely this fall as NFL scouts continue to evaluate one of college football's most intriguing prospects.
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Texas Attracting Relatives of NFL and NBA Stars is Raising Eyebrows Across College Football
Texas Attracting Relatives of NFL and NBA Stars is Raising Eyebrows Across College Football originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Whether fans are ready or not, the next wave of athletes has a high chance of making one feel old. Advertisement The athletes that many of us grew up watching now have children set to hit the college or professional ranks. While these players are scattered throughout the country, there seems to be a hotbed forming in Austin, Texas, at the most important position in football. Following the departure of Quinn Ewers, who was drafted in the seventh round with the 231st overall pick by the Miami Dolphins, the Longhorns will turn to former five-star and No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class, Arch Manning. Although he has two starts under his belt, fans have long been clamoring for the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning to take over. While the Manning name has plenty of notoriety, the Texas quarterback room has a chance to be headlined by the son of a former pro athlete for years to come. The Longhorns hold a commitment from 2026 five-star Dia Bell, the son of former Phoenix Suns star and two-time All-NBA Defensive Team selection, Raja Bell. They are also in the mix for a 2027 four-star Gunner Rivers, who is the son of eight-time Pro Bowl quarterback, Philip Rivers. Advertisement With Steve Sarkisian and Texas having a chance to obtain so much potential star power with famous relatives, fans online are taking notice. "Which would be indicative of NFL QBs believing in Sark's QB development," pointed out one fan. "That'd be insane," said another. "I sense a pattern there 🤔," suspected a third. Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning takes the field before his team's College Football Playoff game against the Clemson Tigers at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Dec. 21, Miron-Imagn Images As it stands, Rivers doesn't hold an offer from the Longhorns, but the No. 1 player in Alabama did recently attend a camp. "My first time here, it went well, enjoyed, and good talking to all the coaches," Gunner Rivers told On3 about his Longhorns visit. "I had a great time." This past season for St. Michael Catholic, he threw for 3,927 yards and 36 touchdowns, leading his team to the semifinals of Alabama's 4A playoffs. As for Bell, he threw for 2,597 yards with 29 touchdowns while leading American Heritage to a 9-2 record before he suffered a season-ending injury in the playoffs. Advertisement While there's a chance this quarterback succession of relatives of former pros doesn't happen, Texas is clearly on track to attract the biggest names for years to come. Related: Rule of Legendary NFL Coach May Prevent Arch Manning From Entering 2026 NFL Draft This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Georgia Tech Football's CFP Odds Leaves Fans in Disbelief
Georgia Tech Football's CFP Odds Leaves Fans in Disbelief originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Could 2025 be the year Georgia Tech flips the national script? After two consecutive seven-win seasons and a wave of recruiting and portal momentum, ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI) is taking notice. According to the latest projections, the Yellow Jackets have the fifth-best odds in the ACC to reach the College Football Playoff, a significant nod to Brent Key's steady rebuild in Atlanta. Advertisement Let that sink in. A program once written off as a rebuilding project is now in the same postseason conversation as Clemson and Miami. ESPN's FPI currently gives Georgia Tech a 9.8% chance to make the playoff, behind Clemson (47.3%), Miami (46.3%), SMU (21.1%), and Virginia Tech (12.5%). The Jackets rank No. 28 overall, ahead of several Power 5 stalwarts like Florida State, UNC, and NC State. So what's changed? Since taking over the helm in 2022, Brent Key has not only stabilized a program in flux but has created an identity rooted in physical play, discipline, and player development. Georgia Tech has pulled off multiple wins over ranked teams under Key's watch, signaling they're more than capable of punching above their weight. Advertisement The 2025 schedule is favorable, if navigated wisely. Tech faces only two top-25 teams by FPI standards, No. 11 Clemson and No. 2 Georgia. Crucially, only Clemson is a conference game. The rest of the ACC slate includes matchups with Duke, Wake Forest, and Syracuse, all ranked outside the FPI top 50. Tech avoids SMU, Miami, and Virginia Tech, which should make this task much easier. If Tech handles business against mid-tier opponents and snags an upset against Clemson or Georgia, a 10-win season isn't just possible, it could be probable. Georgia Tech's improved recruiting rankings and portal pickups reflect a clear upward trajectory in talent acquisition. With a stable offensive staff, returning quarterback Haynes King, and a much improved defense, there's reason to believe the Jackets are entering the 2025 season with their most balanced roster in years. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King (10). Brett Davis-Imagn Images In a shifting ACC landscape, Georgia Tech has something many programs lack: momentum. ESPN's analytics aren't making emotional predictions, they're crunching data and seeing what many around the conference are beginning to feel: Georgia Tech isn't just building, they're ready to strike. Advertisement Can the Yellow Jackets make the College Football Playoff? The odds might still be long, but if Tech fans are looking for hope grounded in data, this is it. FPI says there's a shot, and for a program that's battled its way back into the national conversation, that's a headline worth buzzing about. Georgia Tech football team 2025 playoff odds ESPN FPI ranking ACC schedule Brent Key Related: A New Era Begins as Georgia Tech Names New Baseball Head Coach Related: Georgia Tech Hits Home Run Hiring James Ramsey as Coach This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers Can Make NFL History with Week 8 Win
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers Can Make NFL History with Week 8 Win originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The NFL scheduling Gods smiled on us and we didn't even know it. When the 2025 NFL schedule came out, we all noticed the Week 1 matchup with the New York Jets. Advertisement That, of course, will pit Aaron Rodgers and Justin Fields against their old teams. We call that revenge week for each quarterback. But that's not the most interesting matchup on the calendar next year. That will come in Week 8 when Rodgers faces his old team, the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium, on Sunday Night Football. With a win, Rodgers will become just the fifth quarterback ever to beat all 32 teams. He'll join Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Drew Brees. That's pretty good company, but we already know Rodgers' resume. The achievement will ultimately be just a footnote on his Hall of Fame resume. Advertisement In what could be his last season under center, he'll have the unique opportunity to beat both his former teams. And while we have no idea how the Pittsburgh 2025 season will go, those might be two of the biggest highlight games for the Steelers. Some pundits have the Steelers poised for a Super Bowl run in 2025. To others, it could mean more of the same. Another disappointing end to the postseason, or worse, no playoff appearance at all. Inside the NFL's Mina Kimes believes even with the addition of Rodgers, there are still questions on offense, namely, the rushing attack. 'None of this will work, even if Rogers does buy in, which I'm skeptical of. None of it will work, regardless of what the offense looks like, if they can't run the football better than they did last year. And that's something that they've invested in,' Kimes said. Advertisement Rodgers, who turns 42 in December, led the Jets to a 5-12 mark in his only full season in New York. Don't forget (Jets fans won't) that he missed all but four plays of the 2023 campaign after rupturing his Achilles on the first drive of the first game after joining the team two offseasons ago. Last season should be one to forget for Rodgers. He finished below the league average in passer rating - a stat of which he's the all-time career leader, and 31st in the league in QBR - behind names like Aidan O'Connell and Kirk Cousins. What version of Rodgers will the Steelers get? Related: Steelers' Ceiling Questioned ... Even After Signing Aaron Rodgers Related: Steelers Believe Aaron Rodgers' 'Best Field Vision' Can Fix Offense This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.