DJ Uiagalelei provides health update ahead of of Cheez-It-Bowl

D.J. Uiagalelei’s first year as Clemson’s starting quarterback has not quite gone as planned, with Clemson managing to go just 9-3 and Uiagalelei not quite living up to expectations as the heir to Trevor Lawrence.

Still, Clemson — which salvaged its season to the tune of five-straight wins to end the year, plus a renewed No. 19 ranking in the AP Top 25, which the Tigers failed to make the cut for several weeks prior — has a chance to end on a high note, with an upcoming Cheez-It Bowl matchup against Iowa State. If Uiagalelei hopes to contribute to a bowl victory, however, he’ll have to do it while operating at a deficit of sorts.

Uiagalelei sustained a sprained knee injury in the first half of a 30-24 win over Louisville, forcing the former five-star signal caller to wear a knee brace for Clemson’s last three regular-season games. Then, in addition to his knee problems, Uiagalelei wore a splint on the index finger of his throwing hand, as head coach Dabo Swinney previously said he is nursing a tendon issue in his finger. Uiagalelei made it seem like he’s more than healthy enough to play, sure — but he’s nowhere near 100 percent.

“I feel like right now, I’m healthy,” Uiagalelei said Sunday. “But of course, I won’t be completely healthy. But I’ll be perfectly fine to be able to go out there and play the game to my full ability. Eventually, in the offseason, I’ll get more healthier and get 100 percent. But right now, I’m feeling perfectly fine.”

Uiagalelei finished an underwhelming regular season with 2,059 passing yards and just a 54.7 percent completion rate, throwing for only nine touchdowns and nine interceptions. He’s looked nothing like the quarterback he appeared to be in limited time last season, but Uiagalelei has still helped Clemson turn around its season. After a 10-3 Week 1 loss to Georgia and a 27-21 double-overtime Week 4 loss to NC State, Uiagalelei managed to beat seven of his next eight opponents to finish strong. Clemson’s only loss in that span came against Kenny Pickett and the Pitt Panthers, who eventually went on to win the ACC Championship game.

Uiagalelei, Clemson entered season with high hopes

Heading into the season, Clemson was tabbed as the No. 2 favorite to win the national championship, while Uiagalelei was projected to be one of the country’s biggest names this season. Inherits a Clemson offense previously led by Trevor Lawrence, was named a top-10 breakout quarterback candidate by Pro Football Focus.

As a true freshman last year, after Lawrence was diagnosed with COVID-19, Uiagalelei took the reins of the offense for two games: a home contest with Boston College and an away game at Notre Dame.

In his first-career start against Boston College, Uiagalelei showed promise. He completed 30 of 41 passing attempts, throwing for 342 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions en route to a 34-28 victory.

The following week against Notre Dame, Uiagalelei and the Tigers fell narrowly to the Fighting Irish, losing 47-40 in double overtime. However, Uiagalelei still had a very impressive performance. He finished 29 of 44 for 439 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Although the game went to double overtime, Uiagalelei still etched his name into record books. His 439 passing yards were the most ever thrown against the Irish by an opposing quarterback, breaking a record previously set by USC’s Carson Palmer in 2002 with 425.