ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay watched Clemson’s 27-16 comeback win over Troy and walked away with an unexpected conclusion about quarterback Cade Klubnik. The veteran scout says he’s more concerned about the potential first-round pick now than he was following their season-opening loss to the LSU Tigers.
Why Is Todd McShay More Worried About Klubnik After Troy?
McShay talked more about his concerns during “The McShay Show,” explaining why a win actually worried him more than a loss. “I am more concerned about Cade Klubnik specifically and the Clemson offense after this win against Troy than I was after the loss against LSU,” he stated.
McShay broke down how offensive line problems hurt quarterbacks. “If you can’t protect them and the weapons aren’t where they’re supposed to be, what is a supporting cast issue now becomes your issue because you’re not comfortable in the pocket,” McShay said.
McShay described the mental impact on Klubnik:
“You’re starting to rush throws. You’re starting to make bad decisions. You’re not trusting the things around you, the elements, the protection where the receivers are going to be.”
McShay’s point is clear. When protection breaks down, even talented quarterbacks start making mistakes. Klubnik can’t trust his offensive line, so he’s making rushed decisions and losing confidence in the pocket. What should be a team problem becomes the quarterback’s problem because he’s the one making the bad throws and poor choices under pressure.
The stats support what McShay is seeing on tape. Klubnik has completed just 59.7% of his passes through two games and threw for only 196 yards against Troy.
The offensive struggles show up in the team numbers, too. Dabo Swinney’s Clemson managed only 316 total yards against Troy, marking its worst output against a non-Power Four opponent at home since 2001.
McShay saw this pattern emerge against LSU but expected corrections before facing Troy. Instead, the same problems persisted against inferior teams.
What Protection Issues Have McShay ‘Scared’ for Clemson’s Quarterback?
McShay’s sharpest criticism came when he questioned why Clemson fans weren’t more worried after the Troy game.
“How are you not more scared after this game? Like, yeah, you came back in one and everything looked good, and like it was just a kind of weird week two, and everyone’s kind of having an off week, but there was a flaw in there. There was something wrong in there.”
McShay dismissed excuses about hangover games or weather delays and got more specific about his concerns.
He said, “I’m talking about the plays in between, man, where I’ve got a quarterback who’s a veteran. He’s been through a lot of wars. He’s going to be a first-round NFL draft pick.”
McShay continued, “and I don’t trust when I come out of halftime that I can protect him, and I’m starting to worry because it’s affecting him, seeing ghosts, and his feet aren’t right, and he’s rushing things. He’s not making good decisions, and it’s Troy.”
McShay is trying to say that Klubnik looked shaky against LSU’s elite defense, which makes sense. But when he shows the same problems against Troy, the protection issues have gotten into his head.
He’s not just reacting to real pressure anymore. He’s seeing imaginary pass rushers and making panicked throws even when Troy’s pass rush isn’t that dangerous.
Every Cade Klubnik Throw/Run
What do you notice? pic.twitter.com/pNLQid8gbo
— YBG Awakey🎐 (@EelonRuined) September 2, 2025
McShay’s analysis suggests Clemson faces a critical decision point with Klubnik’s development. The quarterback’s talent remains undeniable, but protection failures create bad habits that could follow him to the NFL.
These early-season warning signs demand immediate attention for a program with championship aspirations before they become permanent scars.