DJ Uiagalelei addresses dynamic with freshman quarterback Cade Klubnik

DJ Uiagalelei can’t afford to have a similar season like he had in 2021. Dabo Swinney and the Clemson coaching staff continued to ride with him as their best option at quarterback. That won’t be the case this year with Cade Klubnik on the roster now. Even with Klubnik on his heels, though, Uiagalelei has spoken highly of the five-star freshman since his arrival on campus.

Uiagalelei talked about the impact Klubnik has already had both on him and the team during media last week. He says Klubnik has had a great fall this far and is as consistent a player as he is a person.

“Cade’s had a great camp. He’s done a really good job. He’s a cool guy and a cool person. (Cade’s) a great friend and he brings life and energy to the team so I’m excited for him,” said Uiagalelei. “Cade’s done a very good job of understanding the playbook and done a really good job of coming out here in practice and bringing that energy in. (He’s) just having a great level of consistency and it’s been good to see.”

Klubnik was the No. 1 QB in On3’s 2022 Consensus Top Football Recruits. The 2021 Texas Gatorade Player of the Year led Westlake to undefeated records and a pair of state championships in his final two seasons of high school. He committed to Swinney and the Tigers in March of 2021 and is finally on campus in attempt to be the next great Clemson QB.

If nothing else, Uiagalelei appreciates the competition Klubnik has provided him. Analysts have naturally pitted the two against each other. Instead, Uiagalelei has turned that on its head in order to compete with the talented young gun.

“Cade brings that hunger. It’s been great time to work with him. He brings the energy each and every day and he does a great job of coming out here and doing his job,” Uiagalelei said. “I love the consistency that he brings as a young guy coming in. It’s been great to see and I’m excited for him because he’s gonna have a great year this year.”

While DJ Uiagalelei is projected to start, Cade Klubnik won’t be far behind. He may end up getting a chance of his own regardless of Uiagalelei’s play. Either way, the Clemson QB room is a lot stronger with this duo as starter and backup.