Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei to enter the transfer portal

Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has decided to entered the NCAA transfer portal per reports.

Uiagalelei was benched in the ACC championship game Saturday after completing 2-of-5 pass attempts for 10 yards in two drives. Both drives resulted in three-and-outs and he was relieved by freshman Cade Klubnik who led the Tigers to a 39-10 victory over North Carolina.

After the game, coach Dabo Swinney said Klubnik will be the starter in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 30.

A Cannon-armed passer, Uiagalelei became the Tigers full-time starter in 2021 and finished that season as one of only four offensive or defensive players to start every game for Clemson. He started 13-games for Clemson this season.

In three seasons at Clemson Uiagalelei started 28 games. He threw for 5,681-yards, 36 touchdown passes and 17 interceptions, rushed for 913 yards and 15 more scores while completing 59.8 percent of his passes.

Uiagalelei’s production at such a high-profile school should create a strong market for his services. He could become a package deal with his brother, four-star defensive lineman Matayo.

Uiagalelei is a 6-foot-4, 235-pound quarterback from Bellflower, CA, who is a former Rivals250 top-5 overall recruit. He chose Clemson over a long offer sheet that included Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, UCLA and USC.

An accomplished high school quarterback at St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA), Uiagalelei was ranked the top Pro-Style quarterback in the nation by Rivals.com. He was also named a USA Today All-American after leading his team to a No. 1 ranking by USA Today after guiding them to a 7A state championship in California. He finished his career at St. John Bosco after passing for 10,496 yards and 127 touchdowns against just 11 interceptions.