Former Can’t Miss Recruit Enters Transfer Portal And One Team Keeps Coming Up As A Destination

D.J. Uiagalelei was all set to be the next great quarterback for the University of Clemson. After Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence led the Tigers to national championships, it seemed written in stone that Uiagalelei would claim one of his own.

The 6-foot-4, 234-pound gunslinger out of Bellflowers, California had everything you’d look for in an elite quarterback prospect.

Which is why he was the No. 1 quarterback and No. 2 overall player in the country in the 2020 class according to 247Sports.

“Big, strong armed quarterback with generational arm strength. Has a big frame but looks lean and is well put together. Has one of the strongest arms in recent memory and has won ‘long ball’ contests with a throw of 80+ yards. Is much more than a big arm. Shows great touch, accuracy to all three levels of the field and greet natural feel for throwing the football. Understands when to take a little off, throws with anticipation and is a plus athlete as well. Has the ability to run zone read and is a very good runner in the open field. Can buy time and is accurate throwing down the field rolling out to his right or his left. Natural leader and a great teammate who is also a potential high round draft pick in Major League Baseball. Can still improve going through progressions and finding secondary receivers as well as escaping pressure. Upside is off the charts. Projects as a impact upper tier Power 5 starter and future early NFL draft pick.” – Greg Biggins, 247Sports

But scouting high school prospects, especially at the quarterback position, can be a crap shoot. And three years later, Uiagalelei is headed out the door.

D.J. Uiagalelei Reportedly Expected To Enter Transfer Portal

Uiagalelei made his first career start as a true freshman in replacement of an injured Lawrence. He immediately looked as advertised, going 30-of-41 for 342 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in a win over Boston College. He started again the following week against an undefeated Notre Dame team, and despite a 47-40 double overtime loss, Uiagalelei again impressed. The young star finished that game 29-of-44 for 439 yards, two touchdowns and, again, no interceptions.

The succession plan from Lawrence to Uiagalelei looked clear and obvious.

Uiagalelei took over full-time in 2021, but never looked close to the player he showed in his first two starts. He finished the 2021 season with just a 55.6 completion percentage for 2,246 yards, nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions. While 2022 was better, with a 61.9 completion percentage, 2,521 yards, 22 touchdowns and just seven interceptions, it was still a struggle.

With a College Football Playoff spot potentially on the line against in-state rival South Carolina in the final week of the regular season, Uiagalelei crumbled. He went just 8-of-29 for 99 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Tigers lost to the Gamecocks, 31-30, ending their playoff hopes.

One week later, he was benched for true freshman Cade Klubnik in the ACC Championship game. Now it appears Uiagalelei will continue his college career elsewhere.

While Uiagalei has not yet named a destination and likely won’t for some time, one school seems to keep popping up.

Uiagalei was born and raised in the Los Angeles metro area and UCLA is just an hour’s drive from where he played his high school football at St. John Bosco. But UCLA figures to have a lot of competition for the quarterback once hailed as a can’t-miss prospect.

The post Former Can’t Miss Recruit Enters Transfer Portal And One Team Keeps Coming Up As A Destination appeared first on BroBible.