Cade Klubnik has the tools, the pedigree, and the spotlight. What he hasn’t had a season finish that justifies first pick NFL buzz.
Still, the Clemson quarterback cracked the top 10 in Fox Sports 2026 NFL Draft odds with +1200 odds to go No. 1 overall. That means scouts around the league haven't given up on his potential, and oddsmakers know the story is far from finished.
The arm talent has never been the issue. Klubnik was a five-star recruit and QB1 in the 2022 class. He took over the Clemson job they were expecting to bring the Tigers back to relevancy and be the next great QB under center after Trevor Lawnece. In hopes of putting them square in the playoff picture. Instead, it’s been up-and-down play, an inconsistent supporting cast, and flashes that haven’t quite turned into dominance.
That could all change this fall.
If Klubnik can have better decision-making, more efficient deep-ball throws, he’s got a real shot to climb. He’s mobile, experienced, and still oozes pro upside.
Here’s the full top 10 list of players with the best odds to go No. 1 in the 2026 NFL Draft:
Top 10 Odds to Be No. 1 Pick in 2026 NFL Draft
- Arch Manning, QB, Texas — +225
- Drew Allar, QB, Penn State — +275
- Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU — + 425
- LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina — + 800
- Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson — + 1200
- Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State — + 2500
- T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson — + 2500
- Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State — + 2500
- Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn — + 2800
- Fernando Mendoza, QB, Cal — + 3000
Klubnik has the benefit of experience heading into 2025, something guys like Arch Manning and Sam Leavitt are still building. And if he can lead Clemson to an ACC title run and clean up the rough edges in his game, to lead his team to a deep run in the College Football Playoffs he’ll be hard to ignore by spring.
There’s a reason he's still in the conversation. And if this is the year Cade Klubnik finally puts it all together, don’t be surprised if he turns potential into a top-5 pick.