National Outlet Ranks ACC Quarterbacks

Athlon Sports recently ranked all of the quarterbacks in the ACC, with Clemson’s DJ Uiagalelei coming in right about where you’d expect.

Athlon Sports ACC QB Rankings

1. Sam Hartman: Wake Forest
2. Devin Leary: NC State
3. Brennan Armstrong: UVA
4. Tyler Van Dyke: Miami
5. Malik Cunningham: Louisville
6. Jordan Travis: FSU
7. Phil Jurkovek: BC
8. Kedon Slovis: Pitt
9. DJ Uiagalelei: Clemson
10. Drake Maye: UNC
11. Jeff Simms: Ga Tech
12. Garrett Schrader: Syracuse
13. Grant Wells: Va Tech
14. Riley Leonard: Duke

This is what the publication had to say about Uiagalelei heading into the 2022 season.

Uiagalelei is arguably the biggest wild card at quarterback in college football this season. As a true freshman in 2020, he showcased why recruiting services ranked him as a five-star prospect coming out of high school. The California native started two games with Trevor Lawrence out, throwing for 342 yards and two touchdowns against Boston College and 439 yards and two scores on the road in South Bend against Notre Dame. However, his strong stint in ’20 didn’t carry over once he assumed the full-time role last fall. Uiagalelei started all 13 games for the Tigers and only threw for 2,246 yards and nine touchdowns to 10 picks. Also, his yards per attempt (6.0), quarterback rating (108.65), and completion percentage (55.6) all ranked near the bottom of the ACC. Uiagalelei did not eclipse more than 241 passing yards in a single contest and also had five games in which he completed less than half of his passes. However, while Uiagalelei struggled, not all of the problems from Clemson’s offense fall on his right arm. The Tigers need better play up front and have to get more production and big plays from the receiving corps. Uiagalelei is talented, so a bounce-back season is certainly within reach. And if his level of play is closer to the ’20 version, Clemson should return to the CFB Playoff.