Clemson Spring Game – QB competition seems far from over.

The question on all Clemson fan’s minds this spring has been where was the QB competition at? Did the talented but erratic incumbent QB starter from last year DJ Uiagalelei make enough progress to solidify his spot or did heralded freshman Cade Klubnik show enough to push him?

This was Dabo Swinney after the game.

Dabo Swinney: “DJ’s our starter. … He’s not done anything to not be our starter.”

— Grace Raynor (@gmraynor) April 9, 2022

Dabo knows a lot more about football than I do, so if that’s what Dabo says then DJ is the starter.

I was at the spring game, and to my untrained casual eye, this competition is not over.

DJ looks improved. He made good pretty reads and threw the ball with more touch than he did last year. I think he can be a solid quarterback going forward. I also saw DJ still overthrow receivers, and look awkward several times passing on the run.

Cade Klubnik on the other hand may not have the command of the offense that DJ does, but he looked like the more polished player. Where DJ sometimes missed a back in the flat, Cade would find him even for a 2 yard gain. His footwork appeared better, and his passes alternated between lasers and touch passes.

The stats bear this out…

Final QB numbers from Clemson’s spring game:

DJ Uiagalelei – 17/36, 175 yds, INT, 82.5 RTG
Cade Klubnik – 15/23, 106 yds, TD, 118.3 RTG

Cade and the White team take home a 15-7 win.

— Austin Pendergist (@apthirteen) April 9, 2022

If that is not enough for you, how about the analysis of a former Clemson quarterback?

Bold take but #2 may start against GT, nothing from #5 today that really impressed me. You have to be more sharp in your 3rd year in the program and today #2 looked more sharp. Clearly still young and needs more work but rather have the growing pains with a freshman

— Tucker Israel (@TI8__) April 9, 2022

Clemson has a nice luxury starting the season. The defense will be among the nation’s best. It might be the most talented unit in the country, and they start the season with three seeming layups – Georgia Tech, Furman, and Louisiana Tech.

DJ Uiagalelei will have his chance to stay ahead of Klubnik before the tests with Wake Forest and NC State.

For his part, Klubnik gives the Tigers another option at QB that they didn’t have last year. He’s as talented as advertised.

This competition seems far from over.

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