Dabo Swinney opens the door to benching D.J. Uiagalelei, again
By John Buhler
Dabo Swinney leaves the door open to possibly benching D.J. Uiagalelei once again.
Though the Clemson football team got an easy home victory over lowly UConn, head coach Dabo Swinney did not remove all doubt about his starting quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei.
While Uiagalelei got the bulk of the snaps running the Clemson offense, he is not exactly running away with the starting quarterback job. His backup Taisun Phommachanh is pushing for playing time. Had he been healthy, Phommachanh might have played more snaps in this blowout game. With two tough games left vs. Wake Forest and South Carolina, Swinney could make a change.
Phommachanh completed one pass for 33 yards in limited action vs. UConn on Saturday.
Asked if Clemson woulda rolled with Taisun Phommachanh for the rest of the first half had he been healthy, Swinney said he doesn't know and that Phommachanh would have had to have played well. But he at least would have had more opportunity.
— Grace Raynor (@gmraynor) November 13, 2021
Clemson football: Could Dabo Swinney bench D.J. Uiagalelei once again?
Given that Clemson is not playing for much of anything this season, it does not seem all that likely Swinney will make Uiagalelei ride pine unless he plays poorly vs. Wake Forest or South Carolina. This team has seven wins and will be playing in a bowl game. However, he should be curious as to what Phommachanh can provide under center in an extended look. Why not give him some run?
Ultimately, how the Clemson offense looks against Wake Forest will go a long way. The Demon Deacons defense is a wet paper bag. Though Sam Hartman and the rest of Dave Clawson’s offense can score seemingly at will, Clemson cannot look lethargic vs. a mediocre ACC defense like Wake Forest. If Uiagalelei cannot move the sticks on Wake Forest, then roll with Phommachanh.
By not dismissing the notion of benching Uiagalelei entirely, Swinney’s comments speak volumes.
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