QB Power Rankings: Clemson's Cade Klubnik continues to rise and earns an apology in the process

Since his Week 1 loss to Georgia, the Clemson quarterback has been proving his doubters wrong and scorching opposing defenses

By Tom Fornelli

Oct 16, 2024 at 12:18 pm ET • 6 min read

CBS Sports graphic

Ladies and gentlemen, we gather here today for our weekly meeting at the QB Power Rankings Town Hall with one item, and one item only, on our agenda, to apologize to Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik.

I've been hard on Cade, and I don't just mean because I've rarely included him in these rankings over the last two seasons. No, it's that I've been vocal about my thoughts on his overall play and that I believed he was one of Clemson's bigger weak spots.

It didn't help to see D.J. Uiagalelei playing well for Oregon State last season while Klubnik was finishing 10th of 11 qualified ACC QBs in passing efficiency. Over the offseason when everybody would pile on Dabo Swinney for his refusal to use the transfer portal to supplement his roster, people mentioned how the Tigers needed to add wide receivers, or offensive linemen and host of other spots where they could've used some additional depth.

I would say they could use a new QB too.

Then the season started, and Klubnik was a mess against Georgia. He turned the ball over, took too many sacks and missed too many throws. I made sure to say loudly at the time that I wouldn't judge Clemson too harshly because of the competition, but I didn't offer the same grace to Klubnik. My mind had already been made up on that.

Ever since, Klubnik has repeatedly reminded me I should've offered him the same leeway. He's been phenomenal. In Clemson's last five games, he's tallied 21 touchdowns with only 1 interception. He's completing over 67% of his passes for 8.9 yards per attempt and has a passer efficiency rating of 177.8. That's a top-five kind of number. Even with the Georgia game included, Klubnik ranks 15th nationally with a rating of 164.92. His 21 total touchdowns rank fifth nationally. He's looked every bit the five-star prospect he was coming out of Westlake High School.

And I'm sorry I ever doubted him. It won't happen again. He's ranked this week, and he'll probably be ranked most weeks from here on out. Before we get to those rankings, though, a reminder for everybody how it works.

This is not a NFL Draft board ranking, nor is it based on any kind of statistical formula. Your numbers matter, sure, but overall, I'm ranking quarterbacks based on the "juice" they have at the current moment in time. It's a combination of how well you're playing, what you have accomplished and what you might accomplish in the near future. If you believe a QB I haven't listed should be listed, I only kept them off the list because I don't like you. Or, perhaps it's this second part.
I don't rank any QB the week after a loss. You could be the greatest QB of all time, but if you lose on Saturday, you won't be here. I don't care if you think your offensive line stinks, OK? That's the burden the QB must carry. If you win, it's because your teammates did their jobs. If you lose, it's on you. Embrace it.

QB Power Rankings

1	Cam Ward Miami (FL) Hurricanes QB
For the first time this season we have the same No. 1 QB in consecutive weeks, and all it took was a bye week to get it done! Of course, it didn't hurt that the players in second and third place last week (Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart) both lost, making it more difficult for anybody else to surpass Cam as he sat at home chilling last week. (Last Week: 1)
2	Dillon Gabriel Oregon Ducks QB
It's not often we see a guy go from unranked to No. 2 in a week, but Dillon Gabriel earned it with the biggest performance of the weekend. He threw for 341 yards and rushed for 32 more with three total touchdowns to lead Oregon to a ginormous win over Ohio State. The numbers are excellent, but more than anything, Gabriel looked great. His throws were on time and accurate, and he even went to his right for deep shots, which isn't he's done much in the past. It was easily his best performance as a Duck, and it may have been his best game of the last few years. (Not Ranked)
3	Garrett Nussmeier LSU Tigers QB
I've said it plenty of times -- and it's still true -- Garrett Nussmeier has an incredible arm, but I wish he had a little less trust in it than he does. There was plenty of that on display Saturday night, as he threw two interceptions, but he also threw for three touchdowns and had 353 total yards against one of the best defenses in the country to lead LSU to a huge win. (4)
4	Cade Klubnik Clemson Tigers QB
I've already gotten the apology out of the way, so let's focus on Klubnik posting 339 total yards and three touchdowns in Clemson's 49-14 win over Wake Forest. I know Miami is the team getting all the attention in the ACC right now, but Clemson is already 4-0 in conference play. With Klubnik playing like this, the Tigers might be the real team to beat in the ACC. (NR)
5	Bryson Daily Army West Point Black Knights QB
There are plenty of times I'll put a QB at No. 10 in the rankings with no expectation that player will still be ranked next week -- let alone climb five spots -- but Bryson Daily is a deserved exception. There may not be a more dominant team in the country compared to their competition than Army at the moment, and Daily is the driving force behind it. He crushed UAB, and stiff-armed one defender six feet into the turf en route to one of his five touchdowns on the day. (10)
6	Quinn Ewers Texas Longhorns QB
Ewers looked a little rusty in his return Saturday, but it should be expected. He was also up against one of the best defenses in the country. He still played well overall, and while he'll have to work his way back up to the No. 1 spot he held before his injury, I'm not ranking him lower than sixth. (NR)
7	Jalen Milroe Alabama Crimson Tide QB
Milroe returns after Alabama (barely) got back in the win column against South Carolina. I do fear that the Tide are becoming a bit too reliant on Milroe, and it's leading him to press at times. He threw two interceptions against the Gamecocks and took a lot of hits. Right now it's what they need to win games, but I worry that it could lead to bigger problems against better teams. You know, like Vanderbilt. (NR)
8	Riley Leonard Notre Dame Fighting Irish QB
Leonard and Notre Dame dominated Stanford in such thorough fashion that I hardly remember anything that happened in the game. It looked like a scrimmage win for the most part, as Leonard finished with only 260 total yards, but he tallied total touchdowns while averaging 10.4 yards per attempt. That's the highest YPA he's had in any game this season by far. The next best was his 7.1 YPA against Louisville. (NR)
9	Carson Beck Georgia Bulldogs QB
While I won't blame Georgia fans for being a bit concerned after watching the Dawgs struggle a bit against Mississippi State, I can't hold Beck accountable for it. OK, I can hold him a little accountable because he threw two picks, but he made up for it by throwing for 459 yards and three touchdowns, too. (NR)
10	Luke Altmyer Illinois Fighting Illini QB
Illinois blew a 24-point lead to a dreadful Purdue team, but if not for Luke Altmyer, we'd be talking about a horrible loss instead of a dramatic win. Altmyer finished with 439 total yards and four touchdowns against the Boilermakers, and led the team on a game-tying field goal drive to force overtime in the final minute of regulation. He was clutch as could be when his team needed him to be -- we'll always honor that here. (NR)