Trent Dilfer: DJ Uiagalelei has 'gotten worse' at Clemson
Former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer has noticed something about DJ Uiagalelei. In an appearance on OutKick, Dilfer said the quarterback has gotten worse at Clemson, and he didn’t stop there.
“What’s going on with DJ right now at Clemson, that’s probably the most egregious thing I’ve seen,” Dilfer said. I love Dabo (Swinney) and I’ll probably get a phone call, but DJ’s gotten worse.”
The 13-year NFL veteran also asserted that Trevor Lawrence, now with the Jacksonville Jaguars, regressed with the Tigers.
“Trevor (Lawrence) got worse mechanically,” he said. “He has completely changed from the time he left Clemson to what he is now in Jacksonville. Much better. He’s so talented and they were rolling so much that he got away with being sloppy. He’d be the first to tell you. …I don’t even know who the quarterbacks coach is at Clemson. I couldn’t tell you his name. Colleges need to do a better job of understanding it’s a craft.”
The Tigers dropped their third game of the season Saturday against Pittsburgh in what was another disappointing performance for Uiagalelei. He finished 12-of-25 for 128 yards and two interceptions.
Expected by many to be the next great Tigers quarterback, Uiagalelei has was benched Saturday afternoon at Pitt in the third quarter. After throwing an interception returned for a touchdown on a shovel pass, he was pulled out in favor of Taisun Phommachanh.
Uiagalelei later re-entered the game after Phommachanh finished 3-of-7 for 23 yards.
A former five-star recruit, Uiagalelei shined in two games last season when Lawrence was in COVID-19 protocol. Against Notre Dame and Boston College, he was 59 of 85 for 781 yards and four touchdowns.
This season has gone quite different.
Now sitting at 4-3 overall and 3-2 in ACC play, Clemson is quickly falling behind in the race for the conference crown. The door is now open for someone else after Clemson has won the past six league titles.
Trent Dilfer suggests that the struggles have more to do with the coaching staff than with DJ Uiagalelei. Dabo Swinney has spent the past 14 years with the Tigers and compiled a 144-35 record in that span. His has made four appearances in the College Football Playoff Championship, with a 2-2 record.
Brandon Streeter has been the Tigers quarterbacks coach since 2014.
Clemson will have its first chance at redemption next Saturday when it faces Florida State.