Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei signs NIL deal with Dr. Pepper
Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei has reached an NIL endorsement deal with Dr. Pepper, per his Twitter page. The sophomore signal caller made 10 appearances as a freshman and is entering his first year as the full-time starter.
Dr. Pepper and college football
Dr. Pepper is an official sponsor of the College Football Playoff and has a series of commercials which airs on a variety of channels throughout the college football season, focused on the fictional town of “Fansville.” It is unclear at this time if Uiagalelei will be a part of that series or a separate promotional campaign with Dr. Pepper.
The company is also invested in the future of college students through its Tuition Giveaway program. Each season, a group of students from each Power Five conference is selected as finalists to throw footballs into a large Dr. Pepper can target during halftime of the conference championship game. The company gives away five $100,000 grand prizes to the winners and $25,000 to each runner-up. There are also 10 $2,500 consolation prizes given to students who fail to make the final contest.
About the star quarterback
Uiagalelei is a former five-star prospect who came to Clemson as the starter in waiting behind Trevor Lawrence. During his freshman season, he was thrust into the starting job for the biggest game of the regular season while Lawrence missed time in the COVID-19 safety protocol process.
Against Notre Dame, he threw for 439 yards and two touchdowns, adding a rushing touchdown in a loss. Combined with his first career start against Boston College, the result brought his record to 1-1.
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Uiagalelei finished the 2020 season with 914 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions. He also had 60 rushing yards on 28 attempts for four touchdowns.
Entering year two, Uiagalelei will have a more experienced wide receiver core at his disposal, headlined by the return of senior Justyn Ross. Despite losing the top three targets from last season, Clemson features one of the top groups of skill players in the country.
In addition to the return of Ross, who missed 2020 with an injury, the Tigers return E.J. Williams, Frank Ladson Jr. and Joseph Ngata. The team also brings back running back Lyn-J Dixon, who will split time with five-star freshman Will Shipley.
Clemson opens the season against Georgia in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sept. 4, playing their home opener against South Carolina State the following week.
Image courtesy of Matt Cashore-Pool/Getty Images