Daniel Jeremiah: Cade Klubnik's quickness, athleticism similar to 'smaller' Ryan Tannehill

After leading Clemson to the College Football Playoff in 2024, Cade Klubnik had the opportunity to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft. Outside of No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward, there were questions at the quarterback position, which led to speculation about whether Klubnik or others would turn pro.

However, Klubnik chose to run it back for one more year at Clemson. As he gets ready for his senior season, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah sees the potential 2026 first-round pick as an interesting evaluation, but still offered a comparison.

Jeremiah sees a bit of Ryan Tannehill in Klubnik’s game. While Tannehill is a little bigger and had a big stronger arm, according to Jeremiah, Klubnik still possesses some of the athletic traits the former Texas A&M star had in his game.

“I spent a lot of time combing through old reports to find a comp for Klubnik,” Jeremiah wrote. “I couldn’t find one that stood out as an ideal match, but his notes read similar to the ones I made for Ryan Tannehill when he was coming out of Texas A&M. Obviously, Tannehill is much bigger, and I thought his arm strength was better than Klubnik’s is at this point in time. However, both guys are very athletic, possessing ideal quickness and the ability to create plays.

“They both throw with touch and timing and excel on loft passes down the field. Tannehill carved out a solid, decade-plus career, making the Pro Bowl in 2019. Klubnik has areas where he needs to continue to improve, but he has the upside to follow a similar NFL path.”

The Miami Dolphins drafted Tannehill as the No. 8 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft and he played in the league until 2023. He spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Dolphins before heading to the Tennessee Titans, where he made his first and only Pro Bowl in 2019 as he won NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

Prior to his time in the NFL, Tannehill played four years at Texas A&M after redshirting as a freshman. He ended his college career with big numbers, throwing for 3,744 yards and 29 touchdowns, to 15 interceptions.

Cade Klubnik focused on his development at Clemson when he chose to play another season under Dabo Swinney. He put together a breakout campaign in 2024 under second-year offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, throwing for for 3,649 yards and 36 touchdowns.

In 2025, he’s generating Heisman Trophy hype, as well. Klubnik has the second-best odds to win the award, according to Circa Sports, trailing only Texas’ Arch Manning and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier.