How Clemson football's DJ Uiagalelei is finding success via 'backyard football'
CLEMSON – Rejuvenated by back-to-back solid performances to start the season, Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei is suddenly riding a wave of confidence heading into Saturday night’s home game against Louisiana Tech (8 p.m., ACC Network).
His accuracy has improved, his mobility increased and he’s even incorporated a little “backyard football” into his repertoire.
“Sometimes a play breaks down and you’ve got to make a play and kind of treat it like backyard football,” Uiagalelei said.
Uiagalelei had multiple backyard moments in each of the Tigers’ first two games.
Late in the third quarter against Georgia Tech, Uiagalalei converted a third-and-four play while in the grasp of two Yellow Jackets defenders. Just before falling to the ground, he flipped the ball back to running back Will Shipley, who picked up 10 yards. Six plays later, Uiagalelei scored on a 9-yard run.
Uiagalelei flashed more improvisation Saturday against Furman, evading several defenders to dart for a 15-yard gain that set up the team’s second touchdown, then scrambling away from pressure to find slot receiver Antonio Williams for a 23-yard gain with a cross-body throw. Kobe Pace scored two plays later for a 28-9 Clemson lead.
“I’m just trying to make the best play possible,” Uiagalelei said. “I’m just playing free and having fun out there.”
Clemson offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter likes what he's seen.
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“He made some unbelievable plays on Saturday with his legs and also in scrambling situations,” Streeter said. “It was really good to see. He’s escaping the pocket better than he has in the past. Being able to extend plays is a big part of being able to play the position. And when you can do that, you can be even more explosive.”
Uiagalelei’s numbers also reflect improvement. He completed 21 of 27 passes for a completion rate of 77.8 percent – his top result in 17 career starts. Combined with his 231 passing yards and two touchdowns against one interception, Uiagalelei had a 166.7 passer rating, which also was the best of his career.
After finishing next-to-last among the ACC's starting quarterbacks with a 55.6 completion percentage in 2021, improvement was a priority. So far so good.
“Each week he’s gaining more confidence, and confidence is the name of the game,” Streeter said. “He has never compromised his work ethic at all, and that’s paying off. He’s still not perfect, by any means, but he’s playing faster and has confidence in the guys he’s playing around. He’s done a really good job on giving the guys a chance to make a play – not overthrowing guys and being able to put more air under the ball when he needs to so they can run under it and make a play. He’s getting better and better at that as well.”
Uiagalelei may not be perfect, but that remains his quest.
“My goal every time I step on the field is perfection,” he said. “I hold myself to that standard. I’m a guy who doesn’t make any excuses in life; you don’t get anywhere making excuses. If I do something wrong, I say it. If I do something right, that’s what I’m supposed to do.”
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football QB DJ Uiagalelei thriving with 'backyard' approach
