Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei Reportedly Expected to Enter Transfer Portal

The DJ Uiagalelei era might be over.

The quarterback is expected to go to the transfer portal.

Entering the portal doesn't preclude Uiagalelei from returning to the program, but his days were effectively numbered after he was benched in the conference championship game

In the win over North Carolina, Klubnik was 20-of-24 for 281 yards and a touchdown. The true freshman will play in the Orange Bowl on December 30.

DJ will be the backup and we'll keep moving forward, he said.

The change was a long time coming for many people.

Ralph D. Russo @ralphDrussoAP

I think Dabo cost Clemson a playoff spot by sticking with DJU.

When Uiagalelei became the full-time starter in 2021, he was expected to do well. His brief appearance when filling in for Lawrence in 2020 added to the hype. Before he even took a college snap, the comparisons to CamNewton had been made.

Uiagalelei could become a cautionary tale.

He completed just 55.6% of his passes as a sophomore, throwing for 2,246 yards, nine touchdown and 10 pick ups. His work on the ground was not enough to compensate for his struggles as a quarterback.

The signal-caller didn't reach an elite level despite improvements in his strength.

Change of scenery should benefit Uiagalelei. Although he's a bit of a project, he should be on the radar of Power Five schools.

The head coach will be able to thrive in the right offensive scheme with Uiagalelei's size and skill set.

He will be leaving to avoid any quarterback controversy. It's going to get better with Klubnik in 2023.

Additional depth at the position will be provided by Christopher Vizzina. The sixth-best quarterback in the class is Vizzina.