Making the leap from Clemson legend to NFL rookie is no easy task, but Cade Klubnik is already showing the kind of preparation and grit that made him a Tiger favorite—before he’s even taken a snap in Jets camp.
The New York Jets clearly saw something special, jumping up 18 spots in the fourth round to snag Klubnik at No. 110 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. And now, with the spotlight of New York shining bright, recently retired NFL quarterback Chris Streveler is offering up some hard-earned advice for our Tiger as he gets ready to take on the Big Apple.
Retired #NFL QB Chris Streveler shared some advice w/ #Jets rookie QB Cade Klubnik:
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) May 16, 2026
"Just go in with an open mind. Soak up as much information as you can. I mean, you've got Geno Smith in that room. That's a guy who has been through a ton. He has been through a lot of adversity,… pic.twitter.com/iZhDdspUEH
The Wisdom of a Veteran Room
Klubnik steps into a revamped Jets quarterback room, where 14-year vet Geno Smith has been named the starter by head coach Aaron Glenn. With Smith, Brady Cook, and Bailey Zappe in the mix, Cade will be battling for his spot and soaking up every ounce of knowledge he can.
Streveler, who hung up his cleats in March after a winding journey through the NFL and CFL, thinks learning behind a battle-tested pro like Smith is exactly what Klubnik needs to take his game to the next level.
“Just go in with an open mind,” Streveler advised. “Soak up as much information as you can. I mean, you’ve got Geno Smith in that room. That’s a guy who has been through a ton. He has been through a lot of adversity, and those are the guys that I always lean on in terms of their perspective because they’ve been through the ups and downs. He has been in multiple organizations, so that dude has a plethora of knowledge.”
Prepare Like You're QB1
Streveler’s biggest message? Outwork everyone and stay ready. In the NFL, your shot can come out of nowhere—something Streveler knows firsthand from his days as a trusted backup.
“Just work as hard as you can, man, and prepare like you’re the starter because you don’t know when that opportunity’s coming,” Streveler added. “My situation is a perfect example of that. You might get seven hours’ notice that you’re gonna be playing in a game. So, just be a sponge, soak up as much as you can, invest in those relationships with the other quarterbacks in the room and the coaches... When that opportunity comes, you don’t want to have regrets.”
A Proven, Historic Pedigree
Sure, injuries to his ankle and wrist put a dent in his 2025 senior stats (2,943 yards, 16 touchdowns), but don’t forget the legend Klubnik already is. When he was healthy in 2024, he lit up the stat sheet for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns, powering Clemson to another ACC crown and a spot in the College Football Playoff.
A two-time ACC Championship Game MVP, Klubnik leaves Tigertown as one of the most decorated quarterbacks to ever wear orange:
- 1st All-Time in school history for pass completions (916) and pass attempts (1,432).
- 3rd All-Time in career passing yards (10,123).
- 4th All-Time in passing touchdowns (73) and total touchdown responsibility (90).
- 5th All-Time in wins by a starting quarterback, compiling a fierce 26-14 record over 40 career starts.
With all the tools in the toolbox, Streveler sees Klubnik primed for a long NFL run. The pieces are there in New York—the rest is up to Cade’s trademark work ethic and drive, the same qualities that made him a Tiger legend.
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