The DJ Uiagelelei experiment at Clemson has failed. Saturday’s dismal effort by Clemson against South Carolina cemented this conclusion.
Dabo Swinney loyal to a fault hitched his ride to DJ Uiagelelei, and it’s now cost him the end of the Clemson dynasty, the end of Clemson’s ACC Multi-year Title run, the longest home winning streak in college football, and the end of a seven-game winning streak against arch-rival South Carolina.
Swinney tried. He stood by Uiagelelei through his good games and bad. It’s been two years and whether Uiagelelei can win an ACC Title next week and/or a bowl game, he shouldn’t return Clemson QB starter.
If he does, then Swinney has thrown in the towel on the other QBs on his roster, and the 2023 season.
Saturday was the culmination of 2 years of inconsistent play at best.
Uiagelelei was a disastrous 8/29 for a meager 99 yards in a 31-30 loss to South Carolina.
This was hardly against a fierce pass rush or a great pass defense.
Now all the blame can’t be placed on Uiagelelei. His receivers rarely attacked the ball in the way the South Carolina receivers did today. They dropped several passes of their own, but it’s clear Uiagelelei has completely regressed to his September 2021 form.
He’s tentative in the pocket, misses open receivers, makes bad decisions, and doesn’t threaten you as a runner.
Clemson can’t get back to nationally elite status with QB play at this level, especially with DC Wes Goodwin who’s been in over his head the entire season. That particular choice of Swinney can also be questioned.
Sometimes the best of intentions just don’t work out, and this one didn’t work out for Swinney.
The jury is still out on Goodwin, but the early returns are just as shaky on him.
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