Who are the 2021 Heisman Trophy candidates?

2021 Heisman Trophy candidate No. 2: D.J. Uiagalelei, QB, Clemson

Barring unforeseen circumstances, no one would’ve figured that 5-star freshman D.J. Uiagalelei would’ve seen any meaningful snaps for the Clemson Tigers in the 2020 season. After all, this was a team eyeing a National Championship behind arguably the best quarterback in college football (and the Heisman runner-up for the year), Trevor Lawrence.

Of course, those circumstances actually hit the Clemson program when Lawrence tested positive for COVID-19, which then forced Uiagalelei to make two big starts for the Tigers. And though they went 1-1 in those games, the freshman balled out in a major way, going 59-of-85 for 781 yards with four passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns overall.

There will undoubtedly be unfair comparisons to Lawrence when Uiagalelei officially takes over the Clemson offense but, even so, the youngster is more than capable of holding up to those standards, which he showed when he was thrust into action unexpectedly as a freshman.

Uiagalelei has all the talent in the world and, while he may need to become a more consistently efficient passer, he checks all the boxes as a thrower and athlete to be a monster. Factor in the strength of the young players that Clemson should now start relying upon, DJU should be in line to challenge to be the first Heisman winner in the program’s history.