D.J. Uiagalelei already listed in the Clemson football record books
It didn’t take long for Clemson football fans to realize that D.J. Uiagalelei was going to be a special quarterback.
When Trevor Lawrence was out for two weeks following a positive test, Uiagalelei stepped in a put up massive numbers, throwing for nearly 800 yards and accounting for six touchdowns in two games.
What many Clemson football fans might not have known, though, is that Uiagalelei actually vaulted himself into the program’s record books with his performance against Notre Dame in a loss.
The Tigers weren’t able to come out with the win, but they did put up 40 points and Uiagalelei put himself in company with names like Deshaun Watson and Tajh Boyd.
What stat are we talking about? Passing yards in a single game.
Believe it or not, Uiagalelei’s 439 passing yards against Notre Dame was good enough for third in school history. The only two Tigers to have higher passing yard performances? Tajh Boyd with 455 yards against Syracuse in 2013 in a win, and Deshaun Watson with 580 yards passing against Pittsburgh in 2016 in a loss.
Uiagalelei is going to be one of the all-time greats and it won’t be the last time we see his name in the Clemson football record books
Looking back at that game several months ago in hindsight, you can see the promise and potential that Uiagalelei possesses.
He led the Clemson offense to 40 points and that was with two turnovers from veterans- Amari Rodgers & Travis Etienne- along the way. This was a Notre Dame defense that finished No. 25 in total defense and they held Alabama’s historical offense to 31 points- which actually should be considered a victory for a defense against that unit. No other defense- not even in the almighty SEC- held Bama to 31 points all season long.
The point?
As we turn the keys over to a new quarterback, Uiagalelei has proven that he’s not afraid to face the best. He’s a competitor and, honestly, no one is nervous about the quarterback position as long as Uiagalelei is here.
He’s already made an impact in sparing time last year and the expectation as we head in 2021 is that we’re about to see an all-time great show us why he has been so heavily touted.