College Football QB Power Rankings: Clemson’s Cade Klubnik continues rise, earns apology in the process

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: an apology 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, I’ve been vocally critical of his overall play. 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 everybody piled 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 add that the Tigers 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 was already 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 one 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. He has looked every bit the five-star prospect he was coming out of Westlake High School in Austin, Texas and has the seventh-best betting odds to win the Heisman Trophy at +2000 according to DraftKings Sportsbook.

And I’m sorry I ever doubted him. It won’t happen again. He’s ranked this week, and he’ll probably stay on the list 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.

Honorable Mention: Drew Allar, Penn State; Rocco Becht, Iowa State; Evan Bullock, Louisiana Tech; Jordan McCloud, Texas State; Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt