Nation's No. 1 QB on Clemson visit: "It was everything I wanted" |
From Big Dave loving everything he saw to an impromptu photo shoot with the National Championship Trophy to a chance to stand atop Clemson’s iconic hill as the Tigers made their celebrated entrance, a weekend visit to Tiger Town was everything the nation’s number one prospect wanted.
Five-star 2020 Bellflower (CA) St. John Bosco junior quarterback DJ Uiagalelei flew from California to Clemson this past weekend, catching a red-eye late Friday night out of Los Angeles and flying to Atlanta. Traveling with his father, David “Big Dave” Uiagalelei and coach Terry Bullock, Uiagalelei and the group drove to Clemson Saturday morning and much of Saturday was spent with head baseball coach Monte Lee and his staff – Uiagalelei is also a highly-coveted baseball player. “I met with the baseball coaches and saw the facility on Saturday,” he said. “We got a tour of the baseball facility, with the stadium and batting cages, and everything was so nice. We also got to meet with the President of the school (Jim Clements) and his family, and everyone was so nice.” Next up was the game. “Getting to stand on the sidelines during pregame was crazy,” Uiagaleli said. “I’ve been wanting to get to Clemson for a game, and it was everything I wanted. You could see the love the Clemson fans have for the team, and getting to be a part of that is something I will remember.” Uiagalelei was then part of a special group that got to stand at the top of the hill when the Tigers made their entrance. “Being able to stand up there next to the rock, and being that close to the players and coaches was amazing,” he said. “You couldn’t hear anything because of the crowd, and then the fireworks started going off and everything was lit up. I could definitely see myself doing that in the next few years.” The game itself turned into a 56-35 Clemson victory in which the Clemson offense was unstoppable. “The offense we run at my high school is very similar to what they run,” he said. “Clemson’s offense was making big plays all over the field, and you could tell that Trevor Lawrence was in charge. They have explosive athletes all over the field. “On Sunday, we got to spend time with the coaches and I had dinner with Coach (Dabo) Swinney. Everybody on the Clemson staff is awesome. I was able to spend time with (Clemson quarterbacks coach Brandon) Coach Streeter and a few of the other coaches. You can just tell how genuine everyone there is, and you can feel the love. Another big thing for me is you can tell how strong their faith is.” The group spent much of Sunday getting more tours of the campus, the new football operations center and the academic center before settling in for a photo shoot. “I was standing there taking pictures in the uniform, and I looked over and saw someone handing me the National Championship trophy,” Uiagalelei said. “I was like, ‘Oh man!’ That was crazy. I got to hold it, and they told us that was the first time they’ve really let it out of its case. That was really a special moment for me. But, really, the highlight of the visit for me was the game. “I wanted my dad to see it, and he loved everything about it. I knew he would see and feel what I saw and felt after my first trip.” Where do the Tigers stand? “Right now, they have to be at the top,” he said. “Clemson, Oregon, Alabama, Auburn, and LSU are my top five and I am really considering all of those schools. I want to go back to Alabama and LSU and Oregon and see those places again. But I want to bring my mom back to Clemson in the spring and then maybe make a decision at some point in the late spring or summer.” We just boarded and we are headed back to Cali. Want to thank @ClemsonFB the fans for treating us like family. We had an amazing time. S/O to Kyle Ty Jordan and coach Streeter for doing everything possible in making our stay special. Also to the whole Dabo family, TY & We??You. pic.twitter.com/IaQTL62vL4 They just do it different here in the south. Clemson Tiger Walk is truly an experience. Why wouldn't you want your kid to come and be apart of somthing like this. pic.twitter.com/wWIOLNdDaV Bryan Bresee and DJ at Clemson having a great time. Both players are huge recruits. DJ #1 QB in the country and Bryan #1 DE in the country having a great time at Clemson. This trip has been an eye opener for me. So much love and the most amazing people you will ever meet !!! pic.twitter.com/SkpcoGVDom It's crazy out here at Clemson. I got to say, hugely impressed. Not just football but baseball got it crackin. pic.twitter.com/Y7vf0QIRCN
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