Is he back to his 2020 form? Or will he revert back to the 2021 version of himself? Clemson QB D.J. Uiagalelei has always had undeniable talent since coming to Clemson as a highly-rated five-star recruit, and the replacement to 2021 NFL Draft #1 overall pick QB Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, after being deemed the potential #1 overall pick for the 2023 NFL Draft even before the 2021 College football season started, Uiagalelei had an extremely disappointing season in which it would’ve been a surprise to see him a part of any 2023 NFL Draft mock drafts. With four games played so far in the 2022 college football season, I believe DJ U is showing he is back to being in the first-round conversation for next April, and here is why.
D.J. Uiagalelei, 6’4” 235 lbs, Clemson (Junior)
Current Season Stats:
- 258.25 passing yards per game, 8.0 yards per pass attempt, 64.3% completion percentage, 10 touchdown passes, 1 interception, 42.25 rushing yards per game, 4.1 average yards per carry, 1 rushing touchdown
Strengths:
- Great size and strength for a pocket passer with decent athleticism and mobility.
- Excels at throwing the ball downfield with his explosive arm and tremendous downfield accuracy on throws outside of the numbers and across his body.
- He is really good at placing the ball throwing downfield and towards the sidelines only where his receivers can get the ball in strides.
- Can really be lethal as a passer all over the field when he established a rhythm
- He is able to elude defenders in tight space with surprising mobility for his size and has the power to shrug off tacklers while still standing in the pocket to throw the football.
- Can really fit the ball in tight windows, and excels at throwing the 50/50 balls.
- Has really improved his confidence in maneuvering the pocket and delivering the ball against pressure with deceptive agility and improved footwork.
- Shows a thick skin and moxie to withstand the media pressure that keeps referring to Clemson’s highly touted backup QB Cade Klubnik replacing him due to previous underwhelming and lackluster performances.
Highest-graded QBs on 3rd & 4th down:
🔹C.J. Stroud – 95.0
🔹DJ Uiagalelei – 94.1 pic.twitter.com/aYNC6NqEe2— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 29, 2022
Weaknesses:
- Although he has improved his body by trimming it and has gotten quicker, he displays average open field speed
- He has a bit of elongated wind-up that can impact how quickly he can get rid of the ball at times, but he compensates by being hard to bring down when contacted, and the ball really jumps out of his hand on his throws.
- He plays with a wide base in the pocket and his feet are mostly static, but has shown major improvements since the start of the season by narrowing it a bit and showing better footwork.
- Needs to improve his internal clock when he is required to read through multiple receiving options, like the game versus Georgia Tech where he missed a lot of opportunities for easy throws due to holding the ball too long to hit a downfield receiver, but he has already shown major improvements this year, especially in the Wake Forest game, showing the ability to hit his check-downs and not forcing it deep.
- Needs to show a more consistent motor, didn’t look as sharp in 2021 and in the Georgia Tech and Louisiana Tech games, but absolutely turned it on to dominate versus a quality opponent in Wake Forest on the road.
- Can miss his receivers at times throwing too high above his receivers, can improve his throwing.
- Not as efficient throwing the ball after holding it too long and trying to extend plays, can force throws there.
Pro Comparison: Daunte Culpepper
System Fit: Play-action downfield passing game with a lot of designed quick throws from the pocket
Draft Projection: I believe he will be a Top 20 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft if he continues at his current trajectory.
