There’s a concern among Clemson football fans when it comes to the depth of the quarterback position.
We’ve all known for a long time that sophomore D.J. Uiagalelei– the former No. 1 QB in the nation just a couple of cycles ago- would be the starter as soon as Trevor Lawrence entered the 2021 NFL Draft.
However, the depth behind him has left much to be desired, to say the least.
Taisun Phommachanh didn’t look good in the Orange & White Spring Game this past Saturday and then he suffered a devastating injury when he tore his Achilles, meaning he would miss the 2021 season.
With Phommachanh out, Clemson has just Hunter Helms on the roster behind Uiagalelei currently and the Tigers will welcome three freshmen in 4-star Bubba Chandler, 3-star ATH Will Taylor and 3-star Billy Wiles to campus later this summer.
Well, that’s if Chandler and Taylor say no to a professional baseball career as both will likely be drafted later this summer.
Still, the whole QB depth narrative is overblown for Clemson football and here’s why
No one here is saying that the Tigers shouldn’t have concerns about the backup QB position. Things were looking bleak before Phommachanh was injured and now there will be absolutely no experience behind Uiagalelei.
No one here is saying that Clemson football shouldn’t look for a grad-transfer or someone who could come in and provide a reliable option should something happen to Uiagalelei, but here’s why this whole narrative is overblown: If something happens to Uiagalelei, Clemson isn’t winning a National Championship anyway. And that’s the truth with basically every single other program in the country with their starting QB, as well.
We all love the story of Chase Brice and how he came in to save Clemson’s National Championship hopes when Trevor Lawrence went down with an injury back in 2018. It’s an amazing story, but let’s be honest here: Do you think Brice was leading that team to a win over Alabama? If you think so, we’re not saying you’re wrong but we are saying that’s the exception to the rule.
You simply don’t stockpile quarterbacks in this day and age of college football anymore and having a reliable veteran like Brice during that 2018 season was something that simply doesn’t happen.
Teams aren’t winning National Championships with backup quarterbacks, at least that’s not the norm.
Alabama couldn’t do it with Mac Jones when Tua Tagovailoa went out with an injury and it’s not very likely that any of the quarterbacks on Clemson’s roster, or any who might put their name in the transfer portal, will be able to do it either if Uiagalelei gets injured.
We’ve been spoiled a little bit with the Clemson football program to have guys like Brice and even Uiagalelei last year, but that’s not the norm and, in the end, this whole conversation is likely moot.
If Uiagalelei misses extended time, Clemson isn’t likely to win a National Championship. That was always going to be the case.
We want depth everywhere- no doubt- and it’s the coaches’ jobs to develop that depth, but with the case of just a few exceptions, teams don’t win championships with backup quarterbacks. That’s why it’s always so important to keep your guy healthy and upright.