Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei enters transfer portal: What will his legacy be?

Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has entered the transfer portal, he announced via social media Monday. Here’s what you need to know:

• Uiagalelei was pulled after two drives in Saturday’s ACC championship game and replaced by freshman Cade Klubnik who led the Tigers to victory.
• After the game, coach Dabo Swinney told reporters that Klubnik will start in the Orange Bowl versus Tennessee.
• Uiagalelei started 27 games in his three years at Clemson. The Tigers are 31-7 since he arrived on campus.

DJ Uiagalelei’s announcement via Instagram just now:

— Grace Raynor (@gmraynor) December 5, 2022

How did it come to this?

It’s hard to believe it has come to this for Uiagalelei. One of the best players in his recruiting class, he had an immediate impact for Clemson in 2020, playing in nine games (with two starts) and throwing for 914 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions. But he struggled as a sophomore in 2021 with nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions. – Shirley

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Uiagalelei was always going to be in the spotlight at Clemson after Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence took the program to new heights. He got even more national attention in 2020 when he started in place of Lawrence, who had COVID-19, at Notre Dame and played the game of his life. But 2021 was tough on the sophomore quarterback. He never got into a rhythm, and once he hit that funk, it was difficult to get out. He had flashes in 2022 — especially the Wake Forest game — but he struggled with consistency. — Raynor 

Cool.
Calm.
Caught.

WHAT A WIN!

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) September 24, 2022

What was the final straw with Clemson?

Uiagalelei got off to a solid start this season, but he began to struggle again and was pulled in a win against Syracuse and a loss to Notre Dame (he did return to that game). And things came to a head Saturday night in the ACC Championship Game. Uiagalelei missed a couple of easy throws and was pulled after Clemson’s second offensive series and didn’t return.

Klubnik stepped in, played well and led Clemson to the ACC title, and here we are. – Shirley

What will be his legacy with the Tigers?

Uiagalelei finished his career at Clemson with 5,681 passing yards and 36 touchdowns, but he also threw 17 interceptions and failed to lead Clemson to the College Football Playoff in his two seasons as a starter (the Tigers reached the Playoff the six previous seasons). Uiagalelei started 28 games at Clemson, and the Tigers finished 22-6 in those games, including a 14-game winning streak that covered the end of last season and the start of this season.

He constantly has been praised by his teammates, including Klubnik, Swinney and offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter for his leadership in the program. – Shirley

What does this mean for Uiagalelei? 

This is a good move for Uiagalelei, who has the arm and athleticism to still play at a high level. It just felt time for a change of scenery. — Raynor

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(Photo: Eakin Howard / Getty Images)