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Tag: Cade Klubnik

  • 10 Quarterbacks the Detroit Lions Should Consider in the 2026 NFL Draft

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    As things stand right now, the Detroit Lions have only one quarterback under contract for the 2026 season: Jared Goff. And make no mistake, Goff will remain the franchise’s unquestioned starter for the foreseeable future. But behind him, the depth chart is wide open.

    Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell will almost certainly add at least two quarterbacks this offseason. One will likely be a veteran free agent who can step in if needed. The other could very well come from the 2026 NFL Draft, especially on Day 3, where teams often take swings on developmental passers with upside.

    Here are 10 quarterbacks the Lions should strongly consider as potential mid-to-late round options, based on performance, traits, and fit within Detroit’s offensive structure.

    Carson Beck – Miami (FL)

    A former top prospect with prototypical size (6’4”, 220), Beck has shown high-level processing and accuracy in past seasons, including an elite 2023 campaign. While his 2025 production dipped, the tools remain. In a developmental role behind Goff, Beck’s arm talent and experience in pro-style concepts would be intriguing.

    Cade Klubnik – Clemson

    Klubnik is an athletic, quick-release passer who rebounded with a strong 2024 and solid 2025. He’s comfortable working off play-action and on the move, which fits nicely with Detroit’s offensive identity. As a rhythm passer, he could thrive learning behind a timing-based quarterback like Goff.

    Drew Allar – Penn State

    Allar’s raw physical profile is hard to ignore at 6’5”, 235 pounds. While consistency and decision-making have been issues, the upside is still there. In a low-pressure developmental environment, Allar could be molded into a high-ceiling backup with starter traits.

    Jalon Daniels – Kansas

    Daniels brings toughness, mobility, and leadership. He’s not the biggest quarterback, but he’s a proven competitor who has thrived when healthy. His ability to create outside structure could give Detroit a change-of-pace option behind Goff.

    Diego Pavia – Vanderbilt

    One of the most efficient quarterbacks in college football in 2025, Pavia posted elite PFF grades and has a fearless playing style. While undersized, he’s a natural playmaker and could be an ideal high-end backup who can win games if called upon. That said, I don’t believe Pavia would fit the culture Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes have built in the Motor City.

    Luke Altmyer – Illinois

    Altmyer is a steady, experienced Big Ten quarterback who protects the football and operates well from the pocket. He may not have star upside, but he profiles as a reliable No. 2 who fits a system built on timing and play-action.

    Sawyer Robertson – Baylor

    Robertson offers good size and arm strength, though his career has been marked by inconsistency. With proper development and mechanical refinement, he could become a useful long-term project.

    Taylen Green – Arkansas

    At 6’6”, 235 pounds, Green is a physical specimen with dual-threat ability and strong efficiency in 2024–25. His mobility adds a dimension Detroit doesn’t currently have at the position.

    Cole Payton – North Dakota State

    One of the most productive quarterbacks in the nation by advanced metrics, Payton dominated in 2025 and has the size and athleticism NFL teams covet. Coming from a pro-style FCS program, he may be one of the best value picks on Day 3.

    Tommy Castellanos – Florida State

    Castellanos is a dynamic runner with improving passing touch. While shorter than most NFL quarterbacks, his creativity and competitive edge could make him a valuable developmental piece.

    Detroit Lions tight ends coach Tim Kelly

    Why This Makes Sense for Detroit

    With Goff entrenched as the starter, the Lions can afford to think long-term. Drafting a quarterback on Day 3 allows Detroit to:

    • Develop a potential future starter
    • Secure a low-cost backup
    • Add a mobile or high-upside option to the room
    • Protect against injuries without major cap investment

    Brad Holmes has shown he values developmental upside and competition. One of these quarterbacks could be the next project that quietly pays off.

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    Jeff Bilbrey

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  • Clemson looks to regain championship form after last season’s struggles, early schedule is stacked

    Clemson looks to regain championship form after last season’s struggles, early schedule is stacked

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    CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Clemson coach Dabo Swinney told anybody who’d listen to buy stock in his team last fall after the Tigers won five straight games after early struggles.

    It won’t take long to see if Swinney’s latest bit of braggadocio has legs. For now, Swinney likes how his team has handled business heading into a season where they hope to once more contend for the Atlantic Coast Conference championship and the College Football Playoff.

    Swinney said his guys have shown chemistry, leadership and accountability to understand and not repeat the mistakes that got them off to a 4-4 start and eliminated their title hopes.

    “All those things, they all check the boxes,” Swinney said. “Now, we got to get out on the field, got to put the work in, get better and find a way to win some games on the field.”

    Clemson’s season will likely again be defined its first few weeks. The 14th-ranked Tigers open in Atlanta against No. 1 Georgia, the national champions in 2021 and 2022. Three weeks later, Clemson hosts No. 24 North Carolina State and two weeks after that the Tigers go to No. 10 Florida State.

    Win them all and Swinney looks like a genius chasing another national title. Lose them all and questions about Swinney’s stewardship will continue to grow, like a year ago when a call from “Tyler from Spartanburg” on Swinney’s radio show touched off a loud defense of his program and perhaps sparked the team’s closing rally.

    Swinney boiled it all down to poor decisions and turnovers that Clemson reduced during its last five wins. The Tigers were causing the mistakes down the stretch instead of making them and Swinney hopes that’s the way it will go early.

    Klubnik’s growth

    Quarterback Cade Klubnik was a focal point of miscues and poor choices in his first full season as a starter. Along with 12 interceptions, he had a costly fumble in an overtime loss to Florida State and failed on fourth down — trying to make something happen on his own — in an overtime loss at Miami.

    Klubnik thinks his second season as a starter and in offensive coordinator Garrett Riley’s system will play dividends.

    “Less interceptions, less sacks, being able to make big-time plays with either my legs or throwing the ball downfield,” he said.

    Deep core of receivers

    The buzz of the offseason has been about the influx of young receivers or injured players at that position coming back healthy. The result could be the deepest group of wideouts at Clemson since the days of Mike Williams, Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross had the school referred to as “Wide Receiver U.”

    Bryant Wesco and T.J. Moore are the newcomers, fast, strong and able to stretch the field. Adam Randall appears healed from a broken hand.

    Tyler Brown, a freshman who led the team in catches and receiving yards last year, had nagging injuries of his own through the season. And Antonio Williams, a freshman breakout player two years ago, played only five games due to ankle and foot injuries.

    All look healthy and productive.

    Defensive stand

    The Tigers had one of the country’s top defenses, allowing 288.2 yards a game, ranking eighth in the nation. Expect that to continue this season with Barrett Carter back at linebacker and a stacked line led by ends Peter Woods and T.J. Parker.

    Clemson will miss first-round NFL cornerback Nate Wiggins, but have sophomore safety Khalil Barnes leading the secondary.

    Kicking game

    Last year, Swinney called Jonathan Weitz at the beach to return to school when kicker Robert Gunn struggled. He is hopeful Gunn, who continued kicking off after Weitz returned, has put his field-goal struggles aside. The Tigers have added Nolan Hauser, a freshman considered the nation’s No. 1 kicking prospect.

    The schedule

    Besides facing three ranked teams in the first six weeks, the Tigers have a home game in October against Virginia and coach Tony Elliott, who was co-offensive coordinator on both of Swinney’s national title teams, a Nov. 2 game against Louisville and the regular-season closer against rival South Carolina at home Nov. 30.

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