Regardless of Cade Klubnik’s star flip late in win over Georgia Tech, DJ Uiagalelei stays Clemson starter, coaches say

ATLANTA — Clemson closed out an uneven efficiency Monday in its opener towards Georgia Tech with an exhilarating 10-play, 66-yard landing drive led by freshman Cade Klubnik, however following the 41-10 win, head coach Dabo Swinney mentioned there’s not a quarterback controversy for the Tigers.

Offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter reiterated that DJ Uiagalelei, who accomplished 19 of 32 passes for 209 yards, 2 complete touchdowns and a fumble, stays the clear-cut starter, regardless of Klubnik’s spectacular ultimate drive.

“There isn’t any query in my thoughts, it doesn’t matter what you all assume, DJ has earned the best to be the man,” Streeter mentioned. “And he did some good issues that he did not do final 12 months. It is enchancment.”

Uiagalelei bought off to a gradual begin towards Georgia Tech, with Clemson’s offense limping by means of a lot of the primary half, which included a botched snap on a third-and-1, Uiagalelei’s fumble deep within the purple zone, and a number of other drops from Clemson receivers.

That the Tigers rebounded for an emphatic win — and a far smoother second half — supplied ample proof of Uiagalelei’s enchancment from 2021, when he was among the many least environment friendly QBs within the Energy 5.

“He did not make a nasty play worse,” Swinney mentioned. “He took care of the ball exterior of 1 play. He put the ball on the cash. I assumed he pushed by means of adversity.”

Uiagalelei supplied some criticism of his personal efficiency, noting a throw to EJ Williams ultimately zone he narrowly missed, and a less-than-elegant efficiency as a runner.

Uiagalelei slimmed down by greater than 25 kilos this offseason with the hope of being extra cellular within the pocket, and Clemson utilized him as a runner 11 occasions Monday.

“I had a pair good runs, however typically I bought tripped up and felt like if I bought my knees up I might’ve gotten much more yards,” Uiagalelei mentioned.

On the entire, nevertheless, Uiagalelei mentioned he felt prefer it was a strong general efficiency.

“I am simply excited, man. I had enjoyable,” he mentioned. “We moved the ball after we wanted to, scored factors, and had some large drives after we actually wanted it.”

Nonetheless, it was arduous to disregard Klubnik’s spectacular ultimate drive, which appeared as sharp as any Clemson’s offense has manufactured in a lot of the previous 12 months.

Klubnik had completions of 20 and 18 yards on the drive, then hit Will Taylor for a 3-yard landing to place the ending touches on the win. Even Uiagalelei got here away impressed.

“You may inform he was on the market taking part in with a whole lot of confidence, and he appeared nice,” Uiagalelei mentioned. “I count on nothing much less from him. He had an excellent drive, and it is thrilling to see. He is an excellent participant, and he is gonna be a baller.”

In each 2014 and 2018, prime freshmen — and former blue-chip recruits — Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence unseated Clemson’s veteran starters after getting early reps within the first few video games, however Swinney mentioned heading into Week 1 he wasn’t anticipating the same state of affairs with Klubnik.

Klubnik was ESPN’s No. 29 general recruit and the highest pocket passer within the class of 2022, however Swinney mentioned he sees this 12 months’s depth chart extra akin to when Uiagalelei arrived in 2020 with Lawrence because the established starter.

“DJ’s the starter,” Swinney mentioned final week. “We’re definitely going to get Cade as many alternatives as we will to play but it surely’ll be the identical as when DJ got here in right here, and be throughout the circulate of the sport and the season. DJ, he is bought nice aspirations of graduating in December, and it is essential to get Cade able to roll.”

Whereas Klubnik’s star flip in his debut will undoubtedly present ample fodder for followers desperate to see a change at QB, Streeter mentioned, behind the scenes, the choice has been clear-cut.

“DJ has been an unbelievable chief on his crew,” Streeter mentioned. “He is finished an excellent job of incomes the best to be the starter. The best way he practices the best way he carries himself, the best way he is bought grit and nastiness and simply finds a manner, you realize, these are issues that you could’t coach that on a regular basis.”