DJ Uiagalelei says he 'doesn't believe in sliding'

Clemson Tigers quarterback DJ Uiagalelei is not afraid to bring the ball down at times and call his own number on the ground when needed. But there is something he is fearful of, taking a free shot from the opposing defense. According to Uiagalelei, defensive players can get a free shot in when the quarterback attempts to protect themselves by sliding. Which is one of the reasons why he ‘doesn’t believe in sliding,’ as he recently explained.

“I don’t believe in sliding. Yeah, no. For me, I don’t know; I’ve never,” said Uiagalelei. “I mean, in baseball I slid. I wasn’t very good at sliding in baseball. I always slid head first. But I feel like every time a quarterback slides, they usually get like knocked out. I feel like it’s just like a free shot for the defense just to go kill the quarterback. Yeah, you get a flag, but it’s just like a free shot.”

Uiagalelei would prefer to be the one giving out the punishment than receiving it, delivering the blow to the defender. But even more than that, he would simply prefer to get out of the way.

“Yeah to deliver or just maneuver away from the blow. I feel like I can get down beside sliding. I feel like when you slide its kind of like you’re a defenseless player; you’re giving defenses free shot just to come and kill you. I’d rather just run the ball.”

When he takes it upon himself to pick up yards on the ground, Uiagalelei has put up some solid numbers this season. The junior quarterback has 81 rushing attempts for 337 yards and four touchdowns, which is second-best on the team in each statistical category.

Clemson was able to knock off the Florida State Seminoles on the road on Saturday 34-28, and Uiagalelei’s Performance through the air and on the ground was a big reason for the Tigers’ success. The Clemson signal caller completed 15 of his 23 pass attempts for 203 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. On the ground, he added one more touchdown for good measure on 14 attempts for 26 yards.

Uiagalelei Might have concerns when it comes to sliding. However, as long as he is protecting himself, it’s a win-win for him and Clemson. And if he is the one delivering the hit, at six-foot-four, 240 pounds, it is definitely not a win for the defender attempting to take him down.