Dabo Swinney reveals how DJ Uiagalelei has transformed himself from last season

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is confident in quarterback DJ Uiagalelei heading into Monday’s season opener against Georgia Tech. In an on-field interview with ESPN pregame, Swinney detailed how the junior signal caller has taken a step forward following a disappointing 2021 season.

“Just confidence, growth and maturity,” the coach said. “Starting since January he’s put the work in on everything he needed to do. He’s physically transformed himself and I think he has mentally as well. Obviously, what I’ve seen every day in practice gives me the most confidence. But as we all know, you’ve got to do it under the lights. That’s what I’m excited to see tonight.”

In his first full season as starter last year, Uiagalelei struggled and ended with more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (nine). The Tigers also missed both the ACC Championship Game and College Football Playoff for the first time in six seasons. That lackluster performance has put pressure on him to improve in 2022 or else he could be in danger of losing the starting job.

The Tigers brought in Cade Klubnik, the No. 1 quarterback in the 2022 class according to On3 Consensus, behind him. If Uiagalelei gets off to a rough start Monday, it will be interesting to see whether Clemson sticks it out with him or calls upon their prized recruit.

Swinney also touched on the defensive challenge for Clemson against Georgia Tech on Monday. In their matchup last season, the Tigers held the Yellow Jackets to just eight points. But Swinney isn’t discounting Georgia Tech and had plenty of good things to say about quarterback Jeff Sims, who poses a threat on the ground as well.

“Their quarterback got loose on us a little bit last year,” Swinney said. “This is a good player they’ve got and he’s got a lot of experience. They did some things on us tempo-wise and RPO-wise. That’s kind of how they’re built.

“This is an opener and we really don’t know. You can prepare for everything that you think they may do, but you don’t really have any video evidence from this year. They’ve got about 40 new people personnel wise. New coaches on both sides. We’ve just got to settle into the game. It’s all about Clemson. It;s about us knowing our plan and applying our plan to whatever they do.”

The Tigers and Yellow Jackets are set to kick off at 8 p.m. ET in Atlanta.