The Quarterback is the most important position in football. The offensive signal caller commands the team and leads them into battle each week while taking gut-crushing hits from monster defenders. In this series, we will dive deep into each Power Five team’s QB room, next is Dabo Swinney‘s Clemson team.
Departures
Like Boston College, Clemson also had two QBs enter the portal this offseason. First is former starter DJ Uiagalelei. The DJ experience at Clemson was disappointing for many. The former five-star ranked 1st at the QB position and tenth nationally in the 2020 class and flashed that talent in his true freshman season when called upon.
However, his two full years starting were shaky at best. He did eclipse 5,000 yards and thirty-six touchdowns but also threw seventeen interceptions. Toward the end of the 2022 season, Uiagalelei lost the starting job to freshman Cade Klubnik, leading him to enter the portal. Uiagalelei chose Oregon State, where he is expected to start his final two years of eligibility.
"I'm a team guy. I love the team. I'd die for my teammates”
“At the end of the day I'm just happy we won."
DJ Uiagalelei’s last words as a Clemson Tiger.
One of the best teammates in the country.
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) December 5, 2022
Billy Wiles is the other departure from this Clemson QB room. The 2021 three-star ranked as the 131st-best QB in the nation. In three years with the Tigers, Billy accumulated thirty-one yards and one touchdown on four pass attempts. With three years of eligibility remaining, Billy entered the portal and chose to head to Southern Mississippi, where he attempts to see more playing time.
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New Additions
Clemson brought in two QBs this off-season. The first is transfer QB Paul Tyson. He’s the great-grandson of Hall of Fame Coach Bear Bryant and committed to Alabama as part of the 2019 class. Tyson ranked 12th at the QB position and transferred to Arizona State after seeing limited action.
His time with the Sun Devils was no different as he only played in one game and entered the portal again, this time joining Dabo Swinney and the Tigers. Tyson has two years of eligibility remaining and looks to be a veteran presence and backup.
Paul Tyson, the great-grandson of Coach Paul W. "Bear" Bryant, enrolled early and practiced with Alabama this afternoon: pic.twitter.com/V0jfaZm0DH
— Ben Jones (@BW_Jones) December 15, 2018
Four-star freshman QB Christopher Vizzina is the other new addition. Vizzina is the future for the Tigers who ranked seventy-seventh as a recruit, and sixth at the QB position. Vizzinia hails from Birmingham, Alabama, and was even an Elite 11 finalist as a senior. Clemson landed a great quarterback, who should replace Klubnik after his time is up.
#Clemson commit Christopher Vizzina at Elite11 Finals pic.twitter.com/8FeepmG48e
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) June 29, 2022
The Returning QBs
Clemson returns three QBs from their 2022 roster. First is Starter Cade Klubnik. As a recruit, he ranked sixth nationally and first at the QB position. He’s from Austin, Texas, and attended legendary QB factory Westlake High School. In his first season with the Tigers, he tossed just under 1,000 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Clubnik hopes for a better season this year as he becomes the full-time starter.
Cade Klubnik ? pic.twitter.com/1bmhR8XDZU
— Clemson Highlights (@ClemsonRT) July 24, 2023
Second is Hunter Helms. The 2020 recruit has three years of eligibility remaining and ranked eighty-sixth at the QB position as a recruit. In three years with the Tigers, Helms has accumulated 135 yards and two touchdowns in his collegiate career. Helms is a solid depth piece for the Tigers this season.
New #Clemson OC Brandon Streeter yesterday discussing backup QB Hunter Helms and incoming freshman QB Cade Klubnik. #ALLIN
FULL VIDEO PLUS OTHER COORDINATORS, SIGNING DAY COVERAGE & MORE HERE: https://t.co/VxLmXGO0u7 pic.twitter.com/qSYfI9TO9a— CUTigers.com (@CUTigers_com) December 19, 2021
Lastly is Trent Pearman. The 2022 recruit was unranked in the 2022 class and chose Clemson over UAB. Pearman has four years of eligibility remaining and is another depth piece that likely will never start.
Clemson has a decent quarterback room with Klubnik leading the way. With Uiagalelei gone, it’s his job with his team surrounding him. Dabo Swinney has worked with many successful QBs in his time at Clemson, and I believe he’s going to be the next Clemson great gunslinger.
