Jets' Cade Klubnik on similar path as Tajh Boyd as he fights for QB job behind Geno Smith
Rookie quarterback Cade Klubnik, left, and former Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd were sixth-round draft picks of the Jets. Klubnik was picked this year and Boyd was taken in 2014. Credit: Ed Quinn; Getty Images/Tyler Smith
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Cade Klubnik is following in Tajh Boyd’s footsteps, but he’s trying to forge a different path.
The Jets drafted Klubnik, a prolific college passer at Clemson, in the fourth round last month. He will be fighting for a job behind starter Geno Smith. A dozen years ago, Boyd, Clemson’s all-time passing leader, was a Jets sixth-round pick and was fighting for a job behind Smith. Boyd was beaten out by Matt Simms for the Jets’ third-string job behind Smith and Michael Vick and was cut after that first camp.
“It’s unbelievable, man,” Boyd told Newsday. “It really is.”
Making it more so is that Boyd was Clemson’s assistant quarterbacks coach the past two years. Boyd has helped Klubnik on the field and off with his own experiences.
“I’ve spent many, many a time with Cade. We got really close,” Boyd said. “He leaned on me for counsel during some tough times and I was fortunate that some of my own experiences weren’t in vain.”
As the ultra-competitive Klubnik makes the jump to the NFL, Boyd advised him not to overthink things and just play football. Boyd wished he could go back in time and have that simple approach.
Klubnik, who threw for 10,123 yards and 73 touchdowns for Clemson, seemed to follow those words during the Jets’ rookie minicamp. He was sharp delivering the football and made many nice passes during the two days on the grass.
“I’m excited to be here,” Klubnik said. “I don’t feel like I’ve ever really gotten nervous before. I’m just excited for any opportunity I have. I love the game and I love everything that comes with it.”
According to former Clemson offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, Klubnik is “made of the right stuff.” He has a strong belief in himself and is unflappable in difficult situations. These qualities will serve Klubnik well in his new job.
Smith is the unquestioned starter this season, but the Jets still are looking for an experienced backup. Klubnik could compete with Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook for the third-string job.
Boyd called Klubnik “a winner” and said “he possesses all the traits” to start in the NFL but should take advantage of learning from the seasoned Smith.
“I love the situation for him over there right now,” Boyd said. “You can’t sustain success in that league unless you’ve been through a lot of [expletive]. And Geno’s been through it all. I think this is an opportunity for Cade to come in and really be in a position to absorb what Geno has to offer.”
The Jets, impressed by Klubnik’s skill set, mettle and game experience, traded up to take him. He might not see the field until late in the season if the Jets are out of playoff contention.
Aaron Glenn needs wins for job security and likely will ride Smith as long as possible, but Smith is considered a placeholder. The Jets are expected to draft a top quarterback next year when they have three first-round picks in a QB-heavy class.
That makes it hard to project Klubnik’s future as a Jet, but those who know him best said he doesn’t back down from challenges.
“He’ll be full steam ahead in everything he does,” Riley told Newsday. “He’ll exhaust everything there is to fight and claw and to bring value to his team.”
Boyd said Klubnik is a cowboy from Austin, Texas, and doesn’t back down from fights.
“I would say this: Line them up,” Boyd said. “He’s going to try to outdo all of them. He don’t run from competition.”
Klubnik’s overall resume is impressive.
He went 34-0 as a starter for Westlake High School and won three state titles. At Clemson, Klubnik was a three-year starter and led Clemson to two ACC championships, winning game MVP both times.
As a junior, Klubnik threw 36 touchdown passes and made a number of “wow plays,” according to Riley, now Missouri’s assistant coach and quarterbacks coach.
“He’s a very self-motivated and driven person,” Riley said. “He’s had a lot of success in his life. He’s a guy that’s battle-tested. He’s certainly got the skill set to produce and help the team out.”
Last season was disappointing for Clemson and Klubnik, who threw 16 touchdown passes for the 7-6 Tigers. But he takes pride in how it ended.
Klubnik played through a high ankle sprain and wrist injury on his throwing hand. He said he limped onto the field for most games and had to take “the elevator up to meetings every day because I can’t walk up the stairs.”
Yet Klubnik led Clemson to a 6-1 stretch, including four straight wins late in the season to make a bowl game.
“The ability to bounce back and persevere and play some good football down the stretch was impressive,” Riley said. “I’m super-proud of him the way he pushed through and finished and gave us a chance to have a really good ending to the season.”
Boyd said he saw something “different” from Klubnik compared to previous years that told him he was ready for the NFL.
“It was him just [expletive] battling, man,” Boyd said. “It wasn’t going well. He wasn’t hearing great things about himself. He just kept showing up. He was hurt, man, he was banged up, but he just kept going. I saw him persevere through a lot. That told me that he was going to be all right at the next level.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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