Clemson’s Uiagalelei enters website after benching
Clemson Tigers quarterback DJ Uiagalelei formally went into the transfer portal Monday after a topsy-turvy season in which he was ultimately benched by coach Dabo Swinney in the ACC title game.Uiagalelei, a junior, finished his last season with 2,521 passing backyards and 22 touchdowns to opt for 7 interceptions, as the Tigers went 11-2.
“God has brought me to this unique location for a factor and I woudn’t trade my time here for anything,” Uiagalelei posted to Twitter on Monday. “I am very appreciative and pleased of the staff, trainers and my coaches for thinking in me and pushing me every day to be the best I can both on and off the field.
“After careful factor to consider I would like to say that I have actually decided to go into the transfer portal.”
From the opening week of the season, when Clemson had a hard time offensively before ultimately escaping from Georgia Tech, there was buzz about backup Cade Klubnik– an extremely promoted hire– replacing Uiagalelei.
1 Associated Klubnik did play because win over the Yellow Jackets, however after the result was long decided.The future of
the quarterback position ended up being a weekly question in Swinney’s press conference afterwards. And as the season endured, the coach continued to back Uiagalelei.Even last week, as the Tigers prepared to satisfy North Carolina in the ACC national championship, Swinney said that Uiagalelei would start against the Tar Heels in spite of having a hard time in a 31-30 loss to South Carolina to close the regular season.Swinney deflected blame for that loss from Uiagalelei, indicating turnovers and drops from receivers as contributing factors.However, during the win over the Tar Heels, things changed and Klubnik came off the bench to raise the Tigers to a 39-10 win. It was their seventh conference title in eight years.Uiagalelei began the first two drives and struggled, going 2-of-5 for 10 backyards.
Both of his drives ended in three-and-outs. Klubnik then can be found in, led a scoring drive and played the remainder of the game, going 20-of-24 for 309 total yards and 2 total touchdowns.Afterward, Swinney said the strategy heading into the game was for Klubnik to come in on the third series no matter what. When Klubnik started moving the ball down the field, there was no turning back.Swinney said Klubnik will start the Capital One Orange Bowl against Tennessee on Dec. 30.” Things have to occur the way they’re supposed to happen, and this evening, that’s the way it went, and Cade was ready,”Swinney stated after the win.
“You got an opportunity to see what he can do. He played in rhythm, guys made plays for him. He’s truly, actually fast. He can truly make have fun with his legs. It was a terrific night and a peek of our future and what it looks like at Clemson. “The 6-foot-4, 235-pound Uiagalelei was among the leading recruits in the country out of St. John Bosco High in Bellflower, California. Over 35 games in 3 seasons for Clemson, he threw for 5,681 lawns and 36 goals with a 59.8%conclusion rate and 17 interceptions.The Associated Press contributed to this report.