D.J. Uiagalelei among early Heisman Trophy favorites

CLEMSON — D.J. Uiagalelei has only two starts in his collegiate career.

But that’s not holding anyone back from building sky-high expectations. Quarterbacks at Clemson are now expected to consistently win ACC Championships and compete for national championships. Uiagalelei is now the starting quarterback, and that means being in the middle of the Heisman Trophy conversation, too.

BetOnline.ag has revealed its odds for the most prestigious award in college football, giving Uiagalelei (+700) the second-best odds to take home the trophy in 2021. The sophomore only trails Oklahoma’s Spencer Rattler (+400) and is tied with Alabama’s Bryce Young (+700). Uiagalelei leads notable players JT Daniels (+900) from Georgia and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud (+1200).

Even with only two starts last season, Uiagalelei has been the starter ever since Trevor Lawrence declared for the NFL Draft. The No. 2 player in his class per 247sports.com, he finished the 2020 season 78-of-117 for 914 yards and five touchdowns. He finished his first spring as QB1 with a strong performance in the annual Orange vs. White game. He now enters the summer preparing for his first season as Clemson’s starting quarterback.

D.J. Uiagalelei has two starts in his college career. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

“Just really taking ownership of this offense. Go back through the installation, go back through all the spring,” Dabo Swinney said when asked what he wants to see from Uiagalelei this offseason.

“We’re talking about trying to be elite and helping him. He’s a very good player, obviously, but helping him become the best version of him.”

Clemson’s never brought home a Heisman Trophy. Lawrence finished second this past year, joining Deshaun Watson as the only other Tiger to finish as a finalist.

If the Tigers continue to be one of the top programs in college football, that means Uiagalelei is in the middle of the Heisman Trophy conversation. With at least two years remaining as Clemson’s starting quarterback, expectations will continue to rise for the quarterback to bring back the first piece of Heisman hardware.