Clemson football: 5 reasons for optimism moving forward in 2021

Jan 1, 2021; New Orleans, LA, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney and defense coordinator Brent Venables on the sideline down 49-21 in the fourth quarter against Ohio State Buckeyes during the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2021; New Orleans, LA, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney and defense coordinator Brent Venables on the sideline down 49-21 in the fourth quarter against Ohio State Buckeyes during the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
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Clemson football
D.J. Uiagalelei, Clemson football Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Five reasons to be optimistic about Clemson football moving forward in 2021

The 2020 Clemson football season didn’t end as we all would’ve hoped.

The Tigers hoped to get back to the National Championship game and compete another title, but their road was stopped short following a 49-28 blowout at the hands of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Now, with Ohio State and Alabama advancing on to the National Title game and Clemson football sitting at home, many fans are content to wallow in self pity and simply try to forget the CFB Playoff ever happened.

We will have plenty of time to talk about all the issues. There’s clearly got to be development along the lines of scrimmage and in the defensive backfield in the future. There has to be a different sense of urgency that just seemed to be lacking at times. But we’re going to put those aspects on hold for today.

Here’s a look at five reasons why optimism should be heavy in Clemson football circles moving into 2021.

5. D.J. Uiagalelei is more than capable

There are some who believe D.J. Uiagalelei could be better than Trevor Lawrence and in the spurts that we saw him this season, there is one thing we all can agree upon: He’s more than capable.

Uiagalelei has a smoothness to his passes unlike anyone I’ve seen in a long time. He is a big body and has great athleticism.

Give him an offseason’s time to continue to learn the system and become the sole leader of this offense and you’ve got a dangerous weapon at quarterback.

Clemson will always miss Trevor Lawrence, but don’t think for one second that his replacement doesn’t have the ability to cheer Tiger fans up real quick.

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