Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei officially enters transfer portal

Clemson starting quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has officially entered the transfer portal after news broke over the weekend that he was expected to transfer.

Uiagalelei went into the portal Monday afternoon after spending three seasons as Clemson.

The junior was the starter for the Tigers each of the past two years, helping Clemson to the ACC title in 2022.

DJ Uiagalelei started 28 games during his time with the Tigers.

Uiagalelei’s time at Clemson came to a disappointing end as he was benched in the first quarter of the ACC championship game against North Carolina in favor of Cade Klubnik this past Saturday.

The freshman came in and performed well for the Tigers, leading Clemson to the ACC title.

Uiagalelei completed 62 percent of his passes this season, throwing for 2,521 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also rushed for 545 yards and seven scores.

Despite Uiagalelei’s career not going just as he hoped, Tigers coach Dabo Swinney consistently praised Uiagalelei for his play, commitment to the team and for being a leader. That continued this weekend after the ACC title game.

“He’s got a bright future. He’s got a bright, bright future as a football player,” Swinney said of Uiagalelei following Saturday’s ACC championship game.

“He’s a guy that will always have a special place in my heart. Nobody’s ever worked harder. Nobody’s ever been more respected in our program. These guys love DJ and I do, too.”

Uiagalelei started two games as a freshman in 2020, going 1-1 with a home win against Boston College and loss to Notre Dame. He played excellent in the loss to the Irish, setting the record for the most passing yards ever by an opposing QB against Notre Dame.

He led the Tigers to a 10-3 season and win over Iowa State in the Cheez-It Bowl last year.

Statement from DJ Uiagalelei

DJ Uiagalelei released the following statement on social media Monday afternoon:

“God has brought me to this special place for a reason and I wouldn’t trade my time here for anything. I am very thankful and appreciative of the staff, trainers and my coaches for believing in me and pushing me every day to be the best I can both on and off the field.

The relationships I have built with everyone in the building will last a life time and I am forever thankful for that.

Lastly, I want to thank all my teammates. The brotherhood we have at Clemson is something special. The relationships I have built with guys on the team run much deeper than football.

After careful consideration I would like to say that I have decided to enter the transfer portal.”

Transfer portal background information

The NCAA Transfer Portal, which covers every NCAA sport at the Division I, II and III levels, is a private database with names of student-athletes who wish to transfer. It is not accessible to the public.

The process of entering the portal is done through a school’s compliance office. Once a player provides written notification of an intent to transfer, the office enters the player’s name in the database and everything is off and running. The compliance office has 48 hours to comply with the player’s request and that request cannot be refused.

Once a player’s name shows up in the portal, other schools can contact the player. Players can change their minds at any point and withdraw from the portal. However, once a player enters the portal, the current scholarship no longer has to be honored. In other words, if a player enters the portal but decides to stay, the school is not obligated to provide a scholarship anymore.