4th-Round Pick Klubnik Confident at Jets Minicamp

Cade Klubnik, the former Clemson quarterback whose draft stock plummeted after a senior season hampered by injuries, expressed unwavering confidence Saturday at the New York Jets' rookie minicamp following his selection in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Jets traded up to draft Klubnik at the 110th overall pick, viewing him as a potential long-term option despite his fall from first-round projections. Once hailed as the top recruit out of Westlake High School in Texas, where he broke Drew Brees' passing records, Klubnik led Clemson to the College Football Playoff as a junior. However, his final year brought sharp declines. The Tigers, returning 19 starters with national championship aspirations, stumbled to a 3-5 start before finishing 7-6 with four straight wins to earn a Pinstripe Bowl berth. Klubnik's passing stats dropped significantly, from 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns as a junior to 2,943 yards and 16 scores.

Two major injuries fueled the struggles: a severe ankle issue that left him limping and relying on the team facility's elevator for meetings, and a wrist problem that limited his practice time. "Clemson is a tough place to be. It's a really tough place to...