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Progress Report: Clemson QB D.J. Uiagalelei embracing leadership role

Matt Connollyby: Matt Connolly03/17/21MattConnollyOn3
ACC Championship - Clemson v Notre Dame
D.J. Uiagalelei is taking over as Clemson's starting QB in 2021.

CLEMSON — The Clemson practice fields have been quiet this week as the Tigers are away for spring break.

However, soon Dabo Swinney’s squad will be back at work, preparing for the 2021 season.

Clemson has completed nine workouts so far and has six remaining this spring, including the Spring Game on April 3.

Over the next several days, we’ll recap what we’ve learned so far before the Tigers finish off spring practice. Up first in the Clemson Sports Progress Report: Notes on star quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei.

D.J. Uiagalelei taking over leadership role

With Trevor Lawrence off to the NFL, this is D.J. Uiagalelei’s team. Even though he is only a sophomore, Uiagalelei has assumed a leadership position for the Tigers. It’s a role he is embracing.

“I’m trying to be a leader for the guys, be a voice and just be out there and be the leader of the offense,” he said. “I’m trying to be a little bit more vocal this year, trying to be that guy, be that leader. I want to be the most accountable guy on the team.”

The California native completed 67 percent of his passes in a reserve role last season, finishing with 914 passing yards and five touchdowns.

He started two games after Trevor Lawrence tested positive for COVID-19 — matchups against Boston College and Notre Dame — and excelled in both. Uiagalelei’s most impressive performance came in South Bend when he passed for 439 yards and two scores.

Quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei started for Clemson at Notre Dame. (Matt Cashore/Getty Images)

By all accounts Uiagalelei has gotten even better this spring.

“He’s doing great,” Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said. “I just like his demeanor. He makes a bad play here or there, but he immediately knows his mistakes. That’s what I love about him. Very self aware. It’s very, very important to D.J. He is incredibly competitive, and he’s just gonna get better and better and better.”

Uiagalelei has already established himself as one of the hardest workers on the team, which is another aspect that stands out to Swinney.

“I know he’s gonna put the work in before practice, during practice, and when he’s away and nobody’s watching, I know he’s working,” Swinney said. “He’s passionate about this opportunity that he has in life and just fun to come to work with every day.”