Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei addresses future as he continues strong season

Dabo Swinney said prior to the 2022 season that Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has aspirations of playing in the NFL after this year, if he plays well enough to do so.

Through seven games, Uiagalelei certainly looks like a quarterback who is ready to play at the next level.

The California native has accounted for 2,002 total yards and has 21 total touchdowns, with only two interceptions. He is also currently tied for sixth in Heisman favorite odds.

Uiagalelei was asked Monday if he has thought about his future and if this could be his last season at Clemson.

“For me, man, I haven’t thought about anything, man, I’ve just been focused on the season. Right now I’m focused on Syracuse for this week. I haven’t thought about anything like that yet,” Uiagalelei said. “I feel like that stuff will take care of itself, whatever happens. But for me, I’m just focused on this season, focused on the guys around me. Focused on my offense, defense and the guys in the locker room and the coaches.”

Uiagalelei could be the third Clemson quarterback to be drafted in the first round in the past decade, should he finish the season strong and impress NFL scouts.

Deshaun Watson was drafted by the Texans in the first round of the 2017 draft, while Trevor Lawrence went No. 1 overall to the Jaguars in the 2021 draft.

Uiagalelei has the option of leaving after his junior year and being drafted in 2023 or staying for his senior season and being drafted in 2024.

“I feel like for me, I feel like I can get a lot better each and every week. I don’t know what NFL scouts [think], I haven’t talked with anybody about that type of stuff, but for me, I feel like each and every week I play, I want to try and get better,” Uiagalelei said. “I feel like there’s a lot of stuff I did good last week. I feel like there’s a lot of stuff I didn’t do as good last week. I feel like each and every week, man, there’s stuff I can improve on and continue to keep getting better. So that’s been my main focus is just each and every game get better, get more comfortable and just keep growing each and every game.”

Here is Swinney’s full quote from prior to the season about Uiagalelei having aspirations of playing in the NFL and needing to get backup QB Cade Klubnik ready:

“It’s important to get Cade some opportunity as we go through the season, because this is it for Hunter [Johnson]. And DJ, I know he’s got great aspirations, graduating in December. I mean it’s important to get Cade ready to roll. Hopefully it’ll happen in a positive way as we go through the season and he’ll get plenty of experience.”