Clemson turns to promising quarterback DJ Uiagalelei

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney always planned for talented freshman quarterback DJ Uiagalelei to take over for Trevor Lawrence — just not this weekend against Boston College.

That's the situation for the top-ranked Tigers, however, after Lawrence tested positive for COVID-19. The Heisman Trophy candidate is out against the Eagles, and his status against No. 4 Notre Dame on Nov. 7 is unclear because he must sit out at least 10 days.

So ready or not, Uiagalelei gets the chance to show his skills as Clemson's starter.

Uiagalelei was a highly rated passer — ranked the No. 2 overall college prospect by Rivals.com — and is expected to be the next standout Clemson quarterback.

Uiagalelei enrolled in January and went through nine spring practices before the pandemic shut down all college athletic activities in March. He has shown a strong arm and a power run game in five appearances, mostly after Lawrence and the Tigers (6-0, 5-0) have had games in hand.

"I just want to be mentally prepared and do my job," Uiagalelei said this month. "Just to get live bullets and get playing time. It's just super cool."

The bowl season will start Dec. 19, the day most of the major college football conferences are set to play their championship games, and includes 37 games.

But 72 teams will go bowling in the 36 games that lead up to the College Football Playoff national championship Jan. 11 in Miami Gardens, Fla.

The CFP semifinals will be played Jan. 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., and Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. The Peach Bowl in Atlanta will also be played earlier, on New Year's Day.

The Cotton Bowl will be the first New Year's Six game, played Dec. 30. The Orange and Fiesta bowls will be played Jan. 2.