Clemson offense, QB Uiagalelei struggling to 'live up to the standard'

CLEMSON -- In only three games, Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei has gone from Heisman Trophy contender to the target of harsh criticism.

Uiagalelei took over this season for beloved No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Trevor Lawrence and was compared favorably to him as the next great one. But the sophomore has been pedestrian at best and the offense as a whole has struggled.

Seventh-ranked Clemson (2-1) plays 3:30 p.m. Saturday (ESPN) at N.C. State and will try to ease some frustration.

“It’s definitely frustrating,” Uiagalelei said Monday. “As an offense, you want to be able to score points and live up to the standard we have at Clemson, putting up massive amounts of yards and massive amounts of points. But you can’t dwell on the past. You’ve got to continue to move forward.”

Clemson is coming off a 14-8 win against Georgia Tech during which Uiagalelei threw for only 126 yards, the longest pass being a 17-yarder by running back Kobe Pace. Uiagalelei on the season has one touchdown pass and two interceptions, including a pick that was returned for a game-winning touchdown by Georgia in a 10-3 final. He was sacked seven times by the Bulldogs. Even against FCS team South Carolina State, he had 10 incompletions on 24 throws.

The Tigers rank 13th of 14 ACC teams in points and yards per game, ahead of only Miami.

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Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott said Uiagalelei has improved in each of the three games, however, and things are moving in the right direction.

“I thought D.J. played better (against Georgia Tech),” Elliott said. “He had three throws in that game that I think he may want back. But I thought overall he played better.”

Both Elliott and Uiagalelei have come under fire from fans and media for underachieving. But there are no plans, Elliott said, to work in backup quarterbacks Taisun Phommachanh, Hunter Helms or Will Taylor to see if one might provide a spark.

“Everybody likes the backup quarterback,” Elliott said. “Maybe even the backup offensive coordinator.”

Elliott said Uiagalelei is handling his first taste of adversity. He started two games last year when Lawrence was out with COVID, responding with record-breaking performances against Boston College (engineering the biggest comeback ever at Memorial Stadium) and at Notre Dame (439 passing yards for the most ever by an opponent of the Irish).

“I think D.J. is in a good place,” Elliott said. “We do a great job from a program standpoint of staying inside-out … making sure you’re listening to the right voices. It’s challenging in this day and age, especially for a young person in the situation he is. But I saw him (Sunday) and I said, ‘Hey, man, we’re just going to keep working.’ In due time, it will go the way we want to go.”

Elliott and Uiagalelei both admitted that his footwork and technique have not been the best, especially after the seven sacks by Georgia.

“I think D.J. is an ultra-talented guy who can make every throw, every awkward off-body throw,” Elliott said. “Sometimes, like with any great player, they tend to lean on their talent. We just have to get him re-focused. Yes, your talent is great. But your talent can be taken to another level if you just stay committed to the fundamentals and the details. Up front (on the offensive line), when that cohesion comes together, then he’ll feel a little more steady to trust his technique in the pocket and the timing will be a little bit better.”

“Sometimes I get a little bit antsy,” Uiagalelei said, “and my feet start going erratic.”

Georgia Tech surprised Clemson, Elliott said, with a defense that dropped as many as eight players into pass coverage. But the Tigers can improve with the running game -- they averaged only 3.9 yards per carry -- while also picking some spots for Uiagalelei to throw deep.

“In fairness to him,” Elliott said, “we have to give him more opportunities down the field.”

“(The Yellow Jackets) were taking away the big shots,” Uiagalelei said. “But whatever Coach Elliott wants to call, I’m ready.”