ESPN insider calls on Dabo Swinney, Clemson to make major change at quarterback

It might be time for a change at quarterback for Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers. That’s at least what ESPN insider Dan Orlovsky believes.

After Clemson’s blowout 35-14 loss to Notre Dame on Saturday, Orlovsky had a strong take on the state of the Tigers’ quarterback room with DJ Uiagalelei and Cade Klubnik. The last time Dabo Swinney made a major switch like the one Orlovsky is calling for at quarterback, it turned out pretty well. And to get Clemson’s program back on track, switching to Klubnik might be the decision that’s needed.

“I think the reality is this. Dabo’s great skill or trait is his loyalty and his undying belief in his players,” Orlovsky said on Get Up. “Gotta make a move at quarterback. And the weird thing is, Dabo did it years ago with Kelly Bryant and Trevor Lawrence. Said Kelly Bryant is good, but Trevor Lawrence is better. They’ve got a true freshman – Cade Klubnik – who’s a superstar talent.”

Against Syracuse a couple weeks ago, Uiagalelei struggled and was ultimately benched in favor of Klubnik, who then led the Tigers to a comeback victory. Against Notre Dame, Uiagalelei was 27-of-39 for 191 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Klubnik ultimately came in, though his stay in the game was a short one as his only pass attempt went for an interception.

Orlovsky thinks switching to Klubnik at quarterback could kickstart Clemson’s program

For much of the 2021 season, questions flooded the college football world surrounding Uiagalelei and the Clemson quarterback room. Calls for him to be benched grew louder as the season went on, and there were serious questions entering this season.

Uiagalelei played well early on, but now those questions have come back to life. And with Clemson possibly out of the College Football Playoff hunt, Swinney could be tasked with making another tough decision.

“We’ve seen this offense under DJ Uiagalelei for the better part of a year and a half, almost two years,” said Orlovsky. “It’s not good anymore. So that is – Clemson’s done. They’re done, out of the Playoff. And I think they’re at a bit of a crossroads program-wise. At some point, they’ve got to kickstart their program because it doesn’t look like it did three or four years ago.”

Klubnik certainly has the talent, as the true freshman came to Clemson as a five-star recruit, the No. 18 overall player and the top quarterback in the 2022 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies