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
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Mark Wahlberg Did Not Hesitate to Give His 2025-26 Detroit Lions Prediction
Mark Wahlberg Did Not Hesitate to Give His 2025-26 Detroit Lions Prediction originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Detroit Lions' heart-wrenching playoff loss to Washington earlier this year was hard for many Detroit fans to swallow as they watched the team's Super Bowl hopes go up in smoke. Advertisement The Lions were favored heading into the game despite a rash of injuries on defense that left them exposed against quarterback Jayden Daniels and coach Dan Quinn's team. On Monday, a famous Hollywood actor known for his Lions fandom, Mark Wahlberg, spoke with a Detroit area reporter about the Lions' upcoming chances to repeat as NFC North champions. He also offered a take on who he would play if a movie were made about the lovable Motor City football franchise. Dan Campbell at the Lions' outdoor practice field in Allen Park, MI on May 30, 2025. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images "Mark could you ever have imagined when you signed on to be in a Michael Bay movie, Transformers, that your roots would be planted so truly in our town and the impact would be felt like this?" Detroit reporter Brad Galli asked Wahlberg. Advertisement "No, I didn't, but you know, it's a small world," Wahlberg said. "It's like being in a second home. Wish I had more time to spend here and wish I was making another movie here," he added. "The only thing I do feel bad about is, our Lions didn't do what I predicted last year, got close, had an amazing regular season, but big expectations for this definitely going to win the division," Wahlberg added, saying he wants the Lions to go all the way this year while sharing his first person experience of Lions fans crying over their team's difficult loss to the Commanders. He also said that he would be willing to play Dan Campbell in a movie about the Lions, dismissing reservations about his height. Related: Former Lion Za'Darius Smith Walks Red Carpet of Major Awards Show With Well Known Girlfriend This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Nick Chubb passes physical, signs one-year, $2.5 million contract with Texans
Veteran running back Nick Chubb officially has his new home in Houston. Chubb passed his physical and signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Texans, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Advertisement The deal gives Chubb the opportunity to earn another $2.5 million if he hits certain incentives. A 2018 second-round pick of the Browns, Chubb has played his entire career in Cleveland and was named to four consecutive Pro Bowls from 2019 to 2022. His career average of 5.1 yards per carry is among the best in NFL history. But in 2023 he suffered a severe knee injury in the second game of the season, he wasn't cleared to return until midway through the 2024 season, and wasn't the same player once he got back on the field. That's why it took him so long to sign, and why he had to sign a one-year prove-it deal. In Houston, Chubb joins a backfield that also includes starter Joe Mixon along with Dameon Pierce and rookie Woody Marks.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 93
Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 93 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. There are 93 days left until the New Orleans Saints start their 2025 regular season with an opening showdown against the Arizona Cardinals. Advertisement Wearing number 93 for the Saints this year will be defensive lineman Nathan Shepherd. He's in his third year with the team and entering his eighth NFL season overall. Let's have a look at Shepherd, along with the other players that have worn 93 during a regular season game for New Orleans. Saints History of 93 Sep 18, 2023; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd (93) sacks Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9). Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images • Gary Lewis, DT (1983) • Kevin Young, DE (1987) • Wayne Martin, DE (1989-99) • Darren Howard, DE (2000-05) • Rob Ninkovich, DE (2006) • Josh Savage, DE (2007) • Bobby McCray, DE (2008-09) • Junior Galette, DE (2010-14) • Kevin Williams, DT (2015) • David Onyemata, DT (2016-22) • Nathan Shepherd, DT (2023-present) Sep 29, 1991; New Orleans Saints defensive end Wayne Martin (93) against the Atlanta Falcons. FILE PHOTO; Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images Lewis, a fourth-round pick in 1983, was the first to don 93 for the Saints. He only played that season in the NFL, appearing in six games and not registering a tackle. Young was next to wear 93, appearing in one game as a replacement player during the 1987 player strike. Advertisement The Saints used the 19th overall choice in the first round of the 1989 NFL Draft on Wayne Martin out of Arkansas. Martin would go on to have an outstanding 11-year career, all in New Orleans. He played in 173 of a possible 179 contests, earning 2nd Team All-Pro in 1992 and a Pro Bowl berth in the 1994 season. Martin recorded 82.5 sacks during his Saints career, adding 25 fumbles forced or recovered and an interception. He had five years of double-digit sack totals and ranks third in franchise history in that category. In 2003, Martin was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame. New Orleans Saints defensive end Darren Howard (93). Credit: When Martin retired after the 1999 season, the Saints replaced him more than aptly with Darren Howard, a second-round choice in the 2000 NFL Draft out of Kansas State. Howard was an underrated member of a ferocious defensive line through the early 2000s, spending six years in New Orleans. Advertisement Howard played in 81 games for the Saints between 2000 and 2005, starting 77 contests. Over that span, he had 44.5 sacks, 89 tackles for loss, and 2 interceptions. He had two seasons of double-digit sacks, including a team-high 11 in 2004. Ninkovich is best-known for a standout career with the New England Patriots. He actually began his career with New Orleans as a fifth-round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Ninkovich played just three games with the Saints in 2006 before being released the following preseason. Dec 23, 2012; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) is sacked by New Orleans Saints defensive end Junior Galette (93). Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images Savage wore 93 for one game during the 2007 season before switching to 95 for three contests the following year. McCray took 93 in 2008, playing two years with the Saints and contributing 7.5 sacks, 23 QB hits, and 15 tackles for loss. Advertisement An undrafted rookie in 2010, Galette had a forgettable end to his Saints career after five seasons with the team after a spectacular start. Galette had 31.5 sacks as a Saint, including a combined 22 takedowns in 2013 and 2014, while adding 62 QB hits and 34 stops for negative yardage. Big defensive tackle Kevin Williams took 93 for one year in 2015. He helped an otherwise bad run defense, but had just one tackle for loss and no sacks. Next to Wayne Martin and arguably Darren Howard, the best 93 in team history would arrive in the draft that following offseason. Nov 13, 2022; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata (93) brings down Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8). Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images The Saints doubled down on defensive tackles in the 2016 NFL Draft, selecting Sheldon Rankins in the first round. They followed that up with a little-known Canadian prospect out of Manitoba by way of Nigeria in the fourth round named David Onyemata. Advertisement Rankins had a nice career for the Saints, but the ultra-athletic Onyemata would be even more productive. In seven years with New Orleans, Onyemata had 23 sacks, 63 QB hits, and 28 tackles for loss while missing only eight of a possible 114 games. Once Onyemata departed in free agency, the Saints brought Shepherd in at defensive tackle. He's held that spot for two years, making 30 starts and missing just one game. In that span, Shepherd has 5 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, and 14 QB hits. He'll look for even better numbers in Brandon Staley's New Orleans defense this season. Related: Derek Carr Further Explains Retirement Decision From New Orleans Saints Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 94 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 96 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 98 Related: Trevor Penning May Have A New Home On Saints Offensive Line Related: Saints Quarterback Ranking According To Pro Football Focus This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
