CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Uiagalelei's passing numbers are ugly right now, but Swinney is confident the sophomore will show he's
Uiagalelei's passing numbers are ugly right now, but Swinney is confident the sophomore will show he's "special."

Swinney is keeping track of those doubting DJ Uiagalelei


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Dabo Swinney is taking down names of those doubting that Clemson's starting quarterback will live up to the hype.

Through two games, DJ Uiagalelei has faced a top-level defense in Georgia and an FCS-level foe in SC State to rank 104th nationally in passing efficiency (101) and 102nd in completion percentage (54.1) according to NCAA statistics.

Monday, Swinney was asked if he was concerned about Uiagalelei's play, and he quickly dismissed the idea.

"Guys have moments here and there," Swinney said after recalling some turnover issues for Deshaun Watson at one point. "But if you’re asking me if I’m worried about DJ, the answer is a capital N-O. He is special. When you’ve got a guy who is as talented as he is, that cares as much, loves to prepare, super-smart and so coachable -- you’re just going to get better and better and better. Just going through a little process. I think everything is magnified because he didn’t play great in the first game.

"And there’s probably a lot of people who wouldn’t play great in the first game, but if we won or had won the first two games, you probably wouldn’t have people dwelling on everything little thing he does."

Swinney is eager to see early critiques taken to task.

"He is a very talented young man growing into the role right before our eyes," Swinney said. "Learning how to be the starting quarterback at Clemson and all that goes with it. Man, I love this kid and I’m proud of him, and for the people who don’t think he’s got what it takes, we need to make sure we write their names down and make sure they stay on that train. Because this kid is better than good. He’s special. That’ll prove to be the case.

"It’s just a matter of time."

The Tigers head coach says he saw what he needed to see out of the home opener from Uiagalelei.

"He’s just a young player who is growing into a new role," said Swinney. "He’s played really four games as the guy. He did great in two of them, not great in one of them, and a lot better last week. He definitely missed a few throws but he made some good ones too. We’re in a place now where we magnify and dwell on the bad. He did a lot of good. We don’t stick our heads in the sand. We learn. We get better. He played a lot better. And can play a whole lot better.

"There’s no greater teacher than experience."

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Subject (Replies: 43) Author
spacer TNET: Swinney is keeping track of those doubting DJ Uiagalelei
TigerNet News®
spacer I love Dabo
Judge Keller®
spacer Re: I love Dabo
tigerpsy
spacer I hope he is.
Judge Keller®
spacer Re: I hope he is.
e2themfd
spacer Re: I love Dabo
tigermandc
spacer parker could have been
tgrfan42069
spacer Re: parker could have been
jarheadtiger®
spacer Good point, he did seem to be a different player after that.***
Judge Keller®
spacer Re: Good point, he did seem to be a different player after that.***
Tigerlife2005
spacer Farley cracked Parker's rib, revealed after Rockies X-ray.
Razzmatazz
spacer Re: I love Dabo
glennjamin182®
spacer I would love for TP7 to get some more playing time.
Judge Keller®
spacer Re: I would love for TP7 to get some more playing time.
ZeeGantt®
spacer Yes, I think Taisun has looked great compared to DJ.
Judge Keller®
spacer Re: Yes, I think Taisun has looked great compared to DJ.
Rally119®
spacer If DJ was playing well, and our offense was performing up to
Judge Keller®
spacer Re: Yes, I think Taisun has looked great compared to DJ.
ddclemson
spacer Judge...are you getting your shots in now
Salty55®
spacer I’m not taking shots.
Judge Keller®
spacer Re: I’m not taking shots.
ddclemson
spacer Projecting what someone may do in the NFL is different than
longtallsam®
spacer Re: I love Dabo
smillsap1
spacer Re: I love Dabo
Tigerlife2005
spacer Re: I love Dabo
allorangeallthetime52®
spacer Re: I love Dabo
HillRockTiger®
spacer That's cold man.
feraltyger
spacer Re: I love Dabo
tigermandc
spacer LOL okay.
Judge Keller®
spacer Re: TNET: Swinney is keeping track of those doubting DJ Uiagalelei
74TIGER
spacer I HOPE HE'S keeping track of those #$%@&* SACKS TOO
FLTiger87
spacer Hey Dabo, Make sure you have my name spelled right on
ryanadidas®
spacer Re: TNET: Swinney is keeping track of those doubting DJ Uiagalelei
cofctigerincola
spacer Re: TNET: Swinney is keeping track of those doubting DJ Uiagalelei
ddclemson
spacer Re: TNET: Swinney is keeping track of those doubting DJ Uiagalelei
cofctigerincola
spacer He can add me to the list of doubters. I hope I'm wrong.***
creekman
spacer once the game starts to slow down for him he'll be a stud
El Tigre 1
spacer Re: TNET: Swinney is keeping track of those doubting DJ Uiagalelei
CUTigerInVA®
spacer I'll start a list for him:
ryanadidas®
spacer Re: TNET: Swinney is keeping track of those doubting DJ Uiagalelei
rhettfla
spacer So fans who have concerns about DJ's performance thus far
Judge Keller®
spacer Re: So fans who have concerns about DJ's performance thus far
rhettfla
spacer Re: TNET: Swinney is keeping track of those doubting DJ Uiagalelei
TNTiger17
spacer keeping track?
wesdg007