JD PicKell: Clemson needs more out of quarterback position to be a contender

The Clemson Tigers had an up and down football season in 2021. Some ups would be the 10-3 record they finished with and the second best defense in the nation that gave up just 14.8 points per contest. A down, though, would be an offense that finished 82nd in the country and kept them unranked for half the season. The root of that issue sprouted from the quarterback play and starting QB DJ Uiagalelei. Ahead of a bounce back 2022 season, On3’s JD PicKell says the Tigers are some better QB play away from once again being a contender.

PicKell broke down the Tigers in his latest episode of ‘The Hard Count‘. He says while improved play from that spot is necessary, elite play isn’t based on what the roster did without it last season.

“You just need better quarterback play. You say no doubt we need better quarterback play. Obviously! Let me add this to that. You need better quarterback play, you do not need elite quarterback play,” said PicKell. “DJ Uiagalelei was your starter last year (and) presumably to be the starter in game one this year. He had nine touchdowns, 10 interceptions. Your starting quarterback threw more interceptions than touchdowns and you still won 10 games. That’s a testament to your defense but, at the same time, that’s a pretty large testament to your roster.”

Uiagalelei opened last season as a Heisman contender before a disappointing 13 games. He struggled as the heir to Trevor Lawrence with 2,246 yards and that 9-to-10 touchdown to interception ratio.

His leash won’t be nearly as long this season with a five star waiting in the wings. Cade Klubnik, the No. 1 quarterback in On3’s 2022 Consensus Top Football Recruits, committed to Clemson in March 2021. PicKell says while Uiagalelei has earned his chance to be the starter, Dabo Swinney should be ready to call Klubnik’s number if or when necessary.

“Obviously Cade Klubnik has now arrived on campus. A lot of people are going to be looking to him at the very least to elevate DJ’s play. If he’s not playing great, you should have no issues tagging in Cade Klubnik if you’re Dabo Swinney,” PicKell said. “It looks like from the spring game (that) he’s still getting acclimated. He’s been on campus all of like 37 seconds so he’s going to get there…DJ Uiagalelei is your guy to start but you have some options in the background.”

The combination of strong quarterback play and elite defense has been the winning formula for Clemson. That duo has earned the Tigers six appearances and two titles in the College Football Playoff era. While the defense remains, the quarterback portion of that equation is yet to be solved post-Lawrence. Regardless of if it’s Uiagalelei or Klubnik, PicKell says either one needs to be just good enough to give the Tigers a chance to make it to Los Angeles in 2022.

“Ultimately, if you just have better quarterback play than you did a year ago, I think there’s some really good things that can happen for Clemson.”