Earlier this week, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney shut down any speculation about a possible quarterback dilemma for the Tigers' season opener against Georgia Tech. Swinney noted that D.J. Uiagalelei is “for sure” the Tigers’ starting quarterback for the 2022 campaign.

Uiagalelei is coming off of a roller-coaster 2021 season in what was his first full year as Clemson’s starter at the quarterback position. From the 10 interceptions thrown to the failure to reach 250-plus passing yards in any game, not much went his way in the campaign.

As of late, Uiagalelei has strived to put himself in the best position to succeed in the upcoming season. For one, he lost over 20 pounds in the offseason. And on the field, as Swinney touched on during a press conference this week, the former five-star recruit has also made grand improvements when it comes to simply being creative on offense.

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“I’d say the biggest thing is just his creativity,” Swinney said. “He’s made a lot of plays with his legs in camp.

“He’s made — I’ve told him three, four, five times, ‘Wouldn’t have made that play last year.’ Because he’s just moving so much better.”

Uiagalelei will have a crucial opportunity to open up the season on a promising note in the Tigers’ first two matchups of the new campaign against Georgia Tech and Furman.