What We Learned from D.J. Uiagalelei at ACC Kickoff

CLEMSON — D.J. Uiagalelei aced his first ACC media appearance last week.

The Clemson quarterback looked comfortable on the stage. In breakout rooms, he showed off his personality. In a sense, his demeanor was the story of Clemson’s appearance at the ACC Kickoff event.

But the sophomore also offered plenty of insight into how the Tigers are looking on the offensive side of the ball entering the season. After starting two games last year when Trevor Lawrence was in COVID-19 protocol, it is now Uiagalelei’s offense. He spoke about quarterback depth and the development of Hunter Helms, the talent in the current wide receiver room and how he wants to be remembered.

“I got my feet wet [last year],” he said. “I got to be able to experience that. I know exactly what it comes down to coming into this year. Coming in the first week with Georgia, how it should be coming into a game as a starting quarterback. So it definitely helps out a lot.”

Uiagalelei has plenty to learn over the next month before the Tigers kick off the season in Charlotte against Georgia. With a training camp right around the corner, ClemsonSports.com is breaking down What We Learned from D.J. Uiagalelei at ACC Media Days.

Uiagalelei aiming for accountability

D.J. Uiagalelei had a front row seat to watch Trevor Lawrence last season. Taking a season to watch and learn from the winningest quarterback in Clemson history taught Uiagalelei a few things. For starters, he watched how Lawrence’s life was completely altered. The quarterback could not just go to a local restaurant without signing autographs or taking pictures.

Most importantly, he knows how he wants to be remembered by his teammates. He watched how Lawrence was constantly accountable on and off the field. Uiagalelei plans to follow suit.

“I want to be the most accountable person on the team, want to be part of the most accountable room in that facility in the quarterback room,” he said. “So that is one big thing that we work on is quarterbacks being accountable, making sure we’re there on time, we’re there for every workout. We’re not missing tuners. We’re not doing anything besides that but just becoming a leader off the field and also trying to be more vocal on the field as well.”

Uiagalelei believes Clemson has ‘deepest receiver room’ in nation

Clemson lost wideouts Amari Rodgers and Cornell Powell to the NFL Draft, but D.J. Uiagalelei will still have plenty of options this fall. Justyn Ross is expected to be cleared to return, but that isn’t the only player Uiagalelei is excited about.

He likes the Tigers wide receiver room right now because he believes it has elite talent and depth. E.J. Williams is ready to continue to grow after his one-handed catch in the ACC Championship game, and Joseph Ngata and Frank Ladson are healthy and able to contribute.

“We definitely do have the deepest receiver room in the country,” Uiagalelei said. “We have the best receiver core in a country by far, in my opinion. We have some receivers that haven’t played like Joe Ngata and Frank Ladson played a little bit but due to injuries, they haven’t be able to get out there in the field as much. But they’re definitely going to show a lot of people.

“I mean, I wanted to surround myself with great weapons. I had great weapons in high school, so I didn’t want to go into a drop off… coming to Clemson means Wide Receiver U. A lot of great receivers they’ve put out, all the great ones they have right now; I’m definitely excited.”

Hunter Helms has earned respect, ready to take backup role

For much of the spring and summer, D.J Uiagalelei was the only healthy, scholarship quarterback on campus. But walk-on Hunter Helms was present through it all, and he has earned Uiagalelei’s respect.

The redshirt freshman quarterback has become close with Uiagalelei. A three-star recruit coming out of Gray Collegiate Academy, Helms decided to play at Clemson, despite scholarship offers from USF and Troy among others. Helms passed for 4,126 yards and 48 touchdowns as a senior in high school. He finished his career with 9,129 passing yards and 98 touchdowns.

“Hunter Helms, I applaud that guy,” Uiagalelei said. “He’s a grinder, loves to work, comes in every day. Works his tail off every single day. Whenever Hunter gets in, he’s going to be ready. I know that for sure. I know that 1000%. I got all the confidence in the world that if Hunter gets in he’s going to perform. He’s gonna do a great job. Just because the way he works.”

Helms looks like he will be the Tigers backup quarterback this season, at least until Taisun Phommachanh fully recovers from his torn Achilles.