Rising Tiger: Cade Klubnik Unveils His Elite NFL QB Mentors for a Pivotal 2025 Campaign

As the sweltering South Carolina summer gives way to the crisp anticipation of autumn, a familiar hum begins to reverberate through the hills of Clemson, a sound that speaks of renewed purpose and towering expectations. At the heart of this burgeoning excitement stands Cade Klubnik, the prodigious senior quarterback for the Clemson Tigers, who is not merely preparing for the upcoming 2025 season but meticulously crafting a masterpiece of personal and athletic evolution. Coming off a breakout junior campaign that saw him silence many critics, Klubnik is acutely aware that the stakes are higher than ever. His journey is not just about leading the Tigers back to national prominence and deeper into the expanded College Football Playoff, but also about solidifying his own burgeoning reputation as a legitimate NFL prospect. And to achieve this, he’s turned his gaze to the very pinnacle of quarterback play, revealing without hesitation the two NFL signal-callers whose tape he is dissecting with forensic precision: Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs. This deliberate and focused approach speaks volumes about Klubnik’s ambition and his understanding of what it takes to ascend to the next level of footballing greatness.

Klubnik’s selection of Burrow and Mahomes as his collegiate curriculum is hardly surprising. These are, after all, two of the most dynamic and successful quarterbacks in the modern NFL, each possessing a unique blend of attributes that makes them truly elite. For Klubnik, the emphasis is on specific facets of their game that he believes will elevate his own performance. He’s looking to refine his pocket presence, enhance his anticipation, and hone his delivery – critical areas that can differentiate a good college quarterback from a great professional one. This dedication to granular improvement is a hallmark of elite athletes, and Klubnik’s willingness to openly discuss his mentors offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a player driven by continuous self-improvement.

The allure of Joe Burrow, particularly his 2019 Heisman Trophy-winning season at LSU and his subsequent NFL brilliance, resonates deeply with Klubnik. Burrow’s journey from a transfer quarterback to a national champion and then to a Super Bowl contender has been defined by an uncanny calmness under pressure, exceptional accuracy, and an almost preternatural feel for the game. Klubnik specifically mentioned studying Burrow’s ability to “escape the pocket but remain a passer.” This speaks to a nuanced understanding of quarterbacking beyond simply scrambling for yardage. It’s about maintaining eye discipline downfield, extending plays with subtle movements, and delivering accurate throws even when the pocket collapses. Burrow’s mastery of this art form allows him to consistently turn what would be broken plays for many into game-changing opportunities. Klubnik, with his own athleticism and developing mobility, sees a blueprint in Burrow’s calculated escapability, a way to maximize his physical gifts while still prioritizing the primary function of a quarterback: distributing the football. Furthermore, Burrow’s seemingly effortless delivery and his ability to anticipate throwing lanes, often throwing receivers open before they even break, are aspects that Klubnik is eager to integrate into his own repertoire. He watches Burrow’s decision-making process, how he processes information pre-snap and adjusts post-snap, and the fluidity with which he transitions from reading the defense to executing the throw. This study is not about imitation but about understanding the underlying principles that make Burrow so effective and then adapting them to his own style and the Clemson offensive scheme.

Then there’s Patrick Mahomes, a quarterback who has redefined the position with his audacious playmaking, unparalleled arm talent, and a seemingly limitless bag of tricks. While Burrow’s game might be more about precision and composed artistry, Mahomes’s is often characterized by improvisation and breathtaking highlight-reel throws. Klubnik’s focus on Mahomes, however, isn’t solely on the spectacular. He’s keenly observing Mahomes’s “calmness and coolness in the pocket.” This might seem counterintuitive for a player known for his backyard football style, but it highlights a crucial aspect of Mahomes’s genius: his ability to remain unbothered by chaos, to keep his eyes downfield amidst a collapsing pocket, and to unleash throws from unconventional arm angles with unwavering accuracy. Mahomes’s spatial awareness and his ability to manipulate defenders with his eyes and body language are traits that Klubnik is actively trying to grasp. It’s about feeling the rush, understanding where the pressure is coming from, and subtly shifting to create space or throw from an off-platform position without sacrificing accuracy or velocity. The ability to buy time, to extend plays long enough for receivers to break open, and then to deliver a strike, is a hallmark of Mahomes’s game, and it’s a skill that can turn potential sacks into explosive gains. Klubnik recognizes that while he may not possess Mahomes’s generational arm strength, he can certainly learn from his poise and adaptability within the pocket, allowing him to navigate pressure with greater efficacy.

Klubnik’s commitment to self-improvement extends beyond film study. He’s entering his third season under offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, a partnership that has allowed him to steadily refine his mechanics and understanding of the Air Raid offense. The continuity with Riley’s system is invaluable for Klubnik, as it allows for deeper dives into scheme intricacies and a more nuanced understanding of how to attack defenses. His breakout 2024 season saw him complete 63.4% of his passes for 3,639 yards, throwing 36 touchdowns against just six interceptions, while also adding 463 rushing yards and seven scores. These numbers are impressive, but the real growth, as many scouts and analysts have pointed out, lies in the subtle improvements in his pocket presence, his ability to work through progressions, and his increasingly accurate deep ball. While some NFL scouts have raised concerns about his arm strength and consistency on deep passes, Klubnik’s dedication to studying the likes of Burrow and Mahomes directly addresses these critiques. He’s not shying away from areas that need refinement; instead, he’s actively seeking out the best practitioners of those skills to learn from.

The Clemson Tigers, with Klubnik at the helm, are poised for a significant season. They return a wealth of talent at the skill positions, including key receivers Antonio Williams and Bryant Wesco Jr., which will undoubtedly aid Klubnik’s continued development. The opening-round loss to Texas in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff last season, despite Klubnik’s strong performance, serves as a powerful motivator. This year, the goal is not just to make the playoff, but to make a deep run, and Klubnik knows that his individual growth is inextricably linked to the team’s collective success. The pressure is immense, particularly with the ever-present scrutiny of NFL scouts and analysts who are already projecting him as a potential first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, Klubnik appears to thrive under this pressure, seeing it as an opportunity rather than a burden. His public declaration of studying Burrow and Mahomes isn’t just a soundbite; it’s a statement of intent, a clear signal that he is leaving no stone unturned in his quest for gridiron mastery.

The evolution of Cade Klubnik is a fascinating narrative, a testament to the idea that even highly touted prospects must continually work to hone their craft. His humble acknowledgment of areas for improvement and his proactive approach to seeking out elite mentorship sets him apart. In an era where flash and bravado often dominate the headlines, Klubnik’s quiet dedication to the fundamentals, informed by the very best in the business, is a refreshing and compelling story. The 2025 season promises to be a pivotal chapter in his career, and with Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes as his unseen coaches, guiding his hand and sharpening his mind, Cade Klubnik is ready to write it. His commitment to studying their artistry, their composure, and their sheer command of the game is a strong indication that the Clemson faithful, and indeed the wider college football world, are about to witness a quarterback poised to take his game to unprecedented heights.