Dabo Swinney discusses DJ Uiagalelei and his Dr. Pepper deal
Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei reached an NIL endorsement deal with Dr. Pepper earlier this week. The sophomore signal caller made 10 appearances as a freshman and is entering his first year as the full-time starter.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney recently spoke with reporters about the deal and he didn’t have very much to say at all.
Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney on what he thought DJ Uiagalelei’s NIL deal with Dr. Pepper: “I don’t think about anything. I just worry about practice. That’s all on their own time.”
More info on DJ Uiagalelei
A former 5-star prospect, he was one of the top rated quarterbacks in America coming out of high school. He played at St. John Bosco High in Bellflower, California. Prepstar listed him as the top player in the nation. Rivals.com ranked him as the second best player in America. He was high school teammates with fellow 5-star recruit, Bryan Bresee, a linebacker for the Tigers. Uiagalelei was named a USA Today All-American after leading his team to a No. 1 ranking by MaxPreps and USA Today.
He came to Clemson as the starter-in-waiting behind Trevor Lawrence. During his freshman season, he was thrust into the starting job for the biggest game of the regular season, while Lawrence missed time in the COVID-19 protocol process.
Against Notre Dame, he threw for 439 yards and two touchdowns, adding a rushing touchdown in a loss. Combined with his first career start against Boston College, the result brought his record to 1-1.
Uiagalelei finished the 2020 season with 914 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions.
He also had 60 rushing yards on 28 attempts for four touchdowns.
Entering his sophomore season, DJ Uiagalelei will have a more experienced wide receiver core at his disposal, headlined by the return of senior Justyn Ross. Despite losing the top-three targets from last season, Clemson features one of the top groups of skill players in the country.
In addition to the return of Ross, who missed 2020 with an injury, the Tigers return E.J. Williams, Frank Ladson, Jr. and Joseph Ngata. The team also brings back running back Lyn-J Dixon, who is battling for the starting running back job with Kobe Pace and Will Shipley.
Clemson opens the season against Georgia in Charlotte on Sept. 4. The Tigers play their home opener against South Carolina State the following week.