Clemson’s quarterback situation has gotten murky since D.J. Uiagalelei’s disappointing sophomore season and the arrival of five-star mid-year enrollee Cade Klubnik. According to ESPN’s David Hale, Saturday’s spring game could determine whether the Tigers have a quarterback problem or quarterback competition.
Uiagalelei enters the 2022 season as the team’s starter, while Klubnik will sit behind him on the bench. However, the two signal-callers will have a chance to face off against one another in Death Valley on Saturday, when Uiagalelei will lead Team Orange, and Klubnik will take the reins for Team White.
As the two quarterbacks battle it out, their performance might reveal if there is a significant gap in skill level between Uiagalelei and Klubnik or if the freshman could take over as the Tigers’ No. 1 quarterback in the fall.
Here’s what Hale had to say via ESPN.
It’s no secret 2021 was an outright disaster for once-heralded quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei, who threw for just nine TDs and had 10 INTs. But the spring opened with a sense of optimism that he could get back to the prime prospect he appeared to be in relief of Trevor Lawrence two years ago. Uiagalelei slimmed down and, according to coach Dabo Swinney, was laser-focused on fixing the woes of his sophomore campaign. The problem is he’s had few weapons at his disposal this spring, making it tough to get a read on his real progress. The same goes for freshman Cade Klubnik, who has the potential to unseat Uiagalelei as the starter — as both Deshaun Watson and Lawrence did with incumbent veterans during their freshman seasons — and if Klubnik far outshines Uiagalelei in the spring game, the calls for change will only grow. In truth, however, until Clemson gets healthy at receiver, tight end and running back, it might not matter who’s taking the snaps at QB.
In support of Hale’s point, the Tigers are expected to be without many offensive starters on Saturday, including running back Will Shipley and wide receiver Beaux Collins. This spring’s lack of continuity for the offense creates a challenge for both Uiagalelei and Klubnik.
Clemson’s coaching staff has raved about both quarterbacks, so I don’t think Saturday will be the be-all and end-all for the starting quarterback spot. Still, if Klubnik overshadows Uiagalelei, the pressure from fans to immediately start Klubnik will only grow.
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