Odds released for where former Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei will play next

Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei entered the transfer portal earlier this week after spending three seasons with the Tigers.

Uiagalelei was benched in favor of freshman Cade Klubnink in the first quarter of Saturday’s ACC championship game against North Carolina. But it seemed likely even before that that this would be the California native’s last season in the Upstate.

Uiagalelei has not announced his transfer destination yet, but he is expected to have plenty of options.

Bookies.com sent out a press release on Wednesday with hypothetical odds for where DJ Uiagalelei will land next.

According to the website, UCLA is the favorite to land Uiagalelei. The Bruins have +250 odds, which means the implied probability is 28.7 percent that Uiagalelei plays at UCLA next season.

Oregon has the next best odds at +400 or a 20 percent chance of being Uiagalelei’s next destination.

Virginia is third at +500 or 16.67 percent. Former Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott is currently the head coach at Virginia. He coached Uiagalelei for two seasons at Clemson.

Auburn (+700, 12.5 percent), Florida (+1000, 9.09 percent) and Oregon State (+1000, 9.09 percent) have the next best odds. The odds of Uiagalelei playing somewhere else not listed next season are +500 or 16.67 percent.

Uiagalelei completed 62 percent of his passes this season, throwing for 2,521 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also rushed for 545 yards and seven scores while starting all 13 games.

Despite Uiagalelei’s career not going just as he hoped, Tigers coach Dabo Swinney consistently praised Uiagalelei for his play, commitment to the team and for being a leader. That continued this weekend after the ACC title game.

“He’s got a bright future. He’s got a bright, bright future as a football player,” Swinney said.

“He’s a guy that will always have a special place in my heart. Nobody’s ever worked harder. Nobody’s ever been more respected in our program. These guys love DJ and I do, too.”

Uiagalelei started two games as a freshman in 2020, going 1-1 with a home win against Boston College and a loss to Notre Dame. He played excellent in the loss to the Irish, setting the record for the most passing yards ever by an opposing QB against Notre Dame.

He led the Tigers to a 10-3 season and win over Iowa State in the Cheez-It Bowl last year.