Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei expected to enter transfer portal

One day after being benched in the ACC Championship Game, a report indicates that quarterback DJ Uiagalelei is expected to enter the transfer portal.

The Clemson Tigers were once again crowned ACC champions after they defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 39-10 this past Saturday. In the game, head coach Dabo Swinney notably benched starting quarterback DJ Uiagalelei after two series in favor of freshman Cade Klubnik. The move paid off, as the offense was immediately effective with Klubnik leading the way.

Klubnik’s future in Clemson looked bright, while Uiagalelei’s future looked to be in doubt. That was evident after the game when Swinney confirmed that Klubnik would start in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 30.

According to 247Sports’ Chris Hummer, Uiagalelei is expected to enter the transfer portal during the Dec. 5-Jan. 18 window.

DJ Uiagalelei reportedly expected to leave Clemson and enter transfer portal

Uiagalelei was part of the 2020 recruiting class, ranking as a five-star player and the top pro-style quarterback in the class, according to 247Sports Composite.

He made his debut in his freshman season against Boston College after Trevor Lawrence tested positive for COVID-19. In that game, Uiagalelei threw for 342 yards and two touchdowns in the 34-28 win. Uiagalelei started the following week against Notre Dame, where he completed 29-of-44 pass attempts for 439 yards and two touchdowns in the 47-40 double overtime loss.

Uiagalelei took over as the starter in 2021 when Lawrence was selected first-overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he didn’t exactly live up to the hype. In 13 games, he recorded 2,246 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while completing 55.6-percent of his passes.

This year was statistically better for Uiagalelei, but he was benched multiple times, including in the team’s Oct. 22 game against Syracuse. This season, Uiagalelei threw for 2,521 yard, 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions while owning a 61.9 completion percentage.

All that’s left is for Uiagalelei to make the announcement himself. From there, we wait to see which program he will transfer to.

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