While rankings may change throughout the season, the two current college football quarterbacks will face off next weekend in Clemson Tigers’ Cade Klubnik and LSU Tigers’ Garrett Nussmeier.
For NFL teams who already expect to need quarterbacks next season, whether their quarterbacks are getting older or have quarterbacks, this game should help determine the All-American quarterbacks enter the 2026 NFL Draft.
Thirty NFL scouts and four general managers will play Clemson's season opener against LSU next Saturday, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.
Pete Thamel on ESPN said it will be at LSu in Clemson next weekend #ClemsonFootball #Clemson #lsu
– Jeremy Lockett (@lockett_allclem) August 23, 2025
As of now, Klubnik seems to have an advantage in Nussmeier in the eyes of the national media, but has put a real test on Klubnik and the Tigers offense in the season against another top team, giving a preview of the rest of the season.
Last season, the top five-star shot 3,303 yards, while a total of 33 touchdowns (third in the country) with only five interceptions. Among the top ten in touchdowns, Krubnik's five interceptions were the fewest on the list.
According to ESPN's Wild Yates, Krubnick is currently expected to be the first quarterback to be selected in the upcoming draft, landing in third place for the New Orleans Saints, whose offensive coordinator is Nussmeier's father Doug.
“Klubnik is a mechanically sound and accurate passer, with 43 touchdowns in his 2024 season breakout,” Yates wrote. “He lacks the elite size of 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, but he will provide some stability for the Saints when the QB resets the roster.”
Klubnik has projected first-round picks in their receiving room and offensive line, surrounded by tools to consolidate himself as the class’s highest signal.
However, in terms of draft status, Nussmeier is not far behind Klubnik. Despite being passed to him by his father's roster, ESPN currently sees him as the second quarterback to leave the board, ranking 11th in the Indianapolis Colts.
Last season, he threw 4,052 yards (fifth in the U.S.), accounting for 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Despite Nussmeier's advantage in passing yards, Klubnik made more touchdowns while still managing to turn the ball in half.
All eyes will be played in the first matchups against the ACC, and if both quarterbacks can replicate their performance from last year, fans and scouts may be playing in incredible games.