Clemson Football: DJ Uiagalelei has the tools for massive bounce-back

Despite a really disappointing 2021 season with Clemson football, DJ Uiagalelei has the tools to bounce back and contend for the Heisman in 2022.

In place of Trevor Lawrence throughout the 2020 season, DJ Uiagalelei looked like the future of Clemson football. He passed for 914 yards and five touchdowns with no picks and a 67 percent completion rate over the course of nine games and it felt like there would be little to no dropoff when Lawrence left for the NFL.

After watching him get picked No. 1 overall by the Jaguars, Uiagalelei knew he had some big shoes to fill and it wouldn’t be a cakewalk with Travis Etienne, Cornell Powell, and Amari Rodgers gone.

Uiagalelei was getting Justyn Ross back, however, and the incoming recruiting class was going to help the Tigers reload and avoid the dreaded rebuild after a 10-2 season that ended with an ACC title and a playoff berth but subsequent loss to Ohio State in the semifinals.

The sophomore took over in 2021 as the full-time starter and struggled from the get-go. The offense wasn’t as explosive as many expected and there were just far too many issues.

Confidence was lacking in the former five-star quarterback which is shocking because he showed up in big moments the year before when he was called upon.

How could a former five-star who stands 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds and has a rocket arm and the ability to run with the ball possibly have a confidence issue?

When the offensive line struggles, the run game is rather non-existent, and turnovers continue to be an issue, confidence wanes. He had nine touchdowns to 10 interceptions which was more than enough to crush confidence of a first-year starting quarterback. His talent wasn’t the issue.

Everyone who’s been around Uiagalelei has made it known that they’re confident he’ll turn it around, including Lawrence who spoke highly of his former teammate this past week.

Uiagalelei comes from a powerhouse high school program and had to fight for snaps early on so he’s not worried about being tested this offseason by a five-star incoming quarterback and transfer Hunter Johnson. There’s going to be a healthy competition, but everyone who has counted him out will look silly come November.

Don’t be shocked when Uiagalelei is a serious Heisman contender this season.