ESPN analyst breaks down Clemson’s QB battle

Returning starter: D.J. Uiagalelei

Candidates: Uiagalelei, Cade Klubnik

Before the 2021 season, few thought Uiagalelei would be here, fighting off an incoming freshman to keep a job that was set up to be his after Trevor Lawrence‘s NFL departure. But little about last fall went as planned for Clemson’s offense or Uiagalelei, who completed 55.6% of his attempts with more interceptions (10) than touchdown passes (9). He looked lost at times while leading an offense that plummeted to 82nd nationally in scoring. Longtime playcaller Tony Elliott has gone to Virginia, although Clemson maintained continuity by promoting quarterbacks coach Brandon Streeter to offensive coordinator.

Uiagalelei competed this spring with Klubnik, an Austin, Texas, product rated as ESPN’s top dual-threat quarterback and No. 29 overall recruit in the 2022 class. Klubnik looked capable during practices and threw a touchdown pass in Clemson’s spring game. “I wouldn’t say it’s a battle yet, but he’s pushing him,” Streeter said of Klubnik and Uiagalelei, before adding, “There’s no automatic starter.” A slimmed-down Uiagalelei also had good moments during spring ball but struggled with his accuracy in the spring game (17-of-36 pass attempts with an interception). Still, coach Dabo Swinney said Uiagalelei is “definitely our starter” and didn’t do anything during the spring session to lose the job.

Week 1 starter prediction: Uiagalelei. Swinney is all about continuity, as he showed in promoting Streeter and Wes Goodwin to replace longtime coordinators Elliott and Brent Venables. He seems unlikely to abandon Uiagalelei despite last season’s struggles. Unless Klubnik shows in August that he’s undeniably better, Uiagalelei should get the first opportunity during a manageable opening stretch (Georgia Tech, Furman, Louisiana Tech).