Scouting Clemson QB Commitment DJ Uiagalelei
The conventional quarterback prospect would profile athletically like DJ Uiagalelei already stands. 6-foot-5, 240 pounds with a strong arm coming out of the state of California wouldn't be a bad start for any offensive coordinator looking for his next trigger man. But it's only the beginning of the scouting story with the future Clemson signal-caller.
On the heels of winning the biggest football game in his life, one he admitted to reporters was perhaps more important than winning it all in college one day, the senior standout's most recent sample was about as good as it gets.
Leading Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco against rival Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei Academy and fellow phenom-type QB prospect Bryce Young for the Division I crown, he was the last man standing. Each threw for 400 yards and at least four scores, but Uiagalelei managed a fifth in what was national news as the Braves came back from 14 down and then 23 down just before halftime. Rhythm was an understatement and Bosco rattled off 34 consecutive points thereafter.
Uiagalelei and the Braves wrapped up the season with a victory over another national power in De La Salle. The 49-28 rout clinched the state championship and likely a national title for the Bosco program, icing on the cake for any legend leaving a program.
That expectation, now fulfilled, has much to do with the senior's progression each year since taking over as the starter. In each of the last three seasons Uiagalelei has increased his passing yardage, hitting the 10,000-yard career mark in the process, all while keeping defenses honest as a runner. Not to mention the timely runner he has developed into, having increased his number of rushing touchdowns every year.
On the verge of 4,000 passing yards as a senior, Uiagalelei has also taken care of the football with a staggering 44-2 touchdown vs. interception ratio with one game to go. His 345 rushing yards, as well as the 6.6 yards per carry clip, are also career bests. The tangible, the winning and body of works shows a clear progression for the theoretical Trevor Lawrence replacement at CU.
That trajectory makes Uiagalelei that much more interesting given his physical tools. Few in the country have more power to drive the ball and he's worked at taking something off of it when the situation presents itself. Always effective and relatively accurate while on the run, he has used his legs to extend plays as much as he has to take off and move the chains.
Uiagalelei is tough to slow in the pocket or otherwise with his over the top delivery on at the apex of his immense frame. The noted baseball prospect, a pitcher of course, has worked on his mechanics and spins it with such ease vertically. He has also looked to take a big step in getting through all of his reads combined with the patience to remain in the pocket, even with defenders inbound, to give targets that much more time to break open. He made one such throw while simultaneously stiff-arming a defender for a first down conversion in the big come back. Another important elemental throw we see progress with is when timing is of the upmost importance and velocity varies, the back-shoulder sideline throw. It's like he's preparing for his time as a Tiger ahead of arrival.
The current nature of college football, something Clemson has embraced with its last several notable quarterbacks under Dabo Swinney, also lends its hand to Uiagalelei's skill set. In particular the read-option and run-pass option game, which puts the decision-making, athleticism and quick trigger of a quarterback to the test. Uiagalelei was masterful with these decisions in the biggest game of his life last week and of course he's a tough task for tacklers once he gets into the open field with good straight line speed for his size as well as enough wiggle to make a defender whiff in the open field.
Whether Uiagalelei is the guy for Clemson the moment Lawrence leaves campus or some time thereafter, few prep passers have responded to the early hype, developed and still entered the college ranks with plenty to perfect at the position.
Given time, it could wind up as an ideal investment between both parties.
Given the Tigers' explosive offense in the ACC, samples of Uiagalelei's true progress may become tangible as soon as the 2020 season begins.