CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler and his Clemson counterpart DJ Uiagalelei have adopted similar paths to the Palmetto State showdown on Saturday.
Both had been extremely regarded prep stars from the West anticipated to dominate in school. Each had on-field adversity and critics that brought on a change in course. Now, the 2 get one other likelihood to point out how far they’ve come when the Gamecocks tackle the seventh-ranked Tigers on Saturday within the Palmetto State’s greatest sporting occasion.
“He went through kind of what I went through,” Rattler stated Tuesday. “That’s my guy.”
The Gamecocks (7-4) look to interrupt a seven-game collection shedding streak to the Tigers (10-1) this weekend, as Rattler and Uiagalelei search extra proof their issues of the previous are behind them.
The two had been close to the highest of most Heisman Trophy lists earlier than the 2021 season.
Rattler was coming off a Big 12 title season at Oklahoma, a savvy sophomore with an enormous arm on his technique to 14 straight wins as a starter.
Uiagalelei, additionally a sophomore, entered his first season as a Clemson starter because the inheritor obvious to NFL No. 1 draft decide Trevor Lawrence.
Things, although, didn’t go in response to plan for both of them.
Rattler was changed with OU trailing rival Texas in the midst of the 2021 season by freshman Caleb Williams, who rallied the crew to victory and by no means gave up the beginning job. That despatched Rattler in search of a brand new location — and former Oklahoma assistant Shane Beamer — to reignite his profession.
Uiagalelei and the Tigers, in the meantime, began 4-3 and missed out on the ACC championship and a College Football Playoff berth for the primary time since 2014.
Outsiders had been harsh, blasting Uiagalelei as the issue and planning for incoming five-star passer Cade Klubnik to take over the Tigers. Instead, Uiagalelei went to work on his physique, his method and his mindset, shedding about 30 kilos, enhancing his resolution making and tuning out the important voices.
Both have proven outcomes on the sector.
Rattler, inconsistent at instances this season, has led the Gamecocks to a second straight bowl look in Beamer’s two seasons. He confirmed off his outdated brilliance final week with 438 yard passing and a faculty document six touchdowns in a surprising 63-38 win over then-No. 5 Tennessee.
Rattler is averaging 220 yards a game, seventh within the Southeastern Conference, with 14 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.
“He’s a five-star quarterback for a reason and a starter at Oklahoma for a reason,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney stated. “He’s a really talented player.”
Uiagalelei led Clemson to a 7-0 begin and a No. 4 nationwide rank, then was benched for Klubnik within the subsequent two video games in a win over Syracuse and the Tigers’ solely loss this season at Notre Dame. Uiagalelei was regular and productive after that in victories over Louisville (31-16) and Miami (40-10) the previous two weeks.
Uiagalelei has accomplished 65% of his throws with 21 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.
“He’s been through a lot, a lot of unfair treatment,” Rattler stated. “He’s a great player and does a lot of good stuff.”
Uiagalelei stated he met Rattler when he was a junior in highschool and the 2 attended a number of camps collectively.
“He’s a good dude,” Uiagalelei stated. “I like him a lot.”
Beamer stated Rattler and Uiagalelei share a gentle poise in all conditions and a confidence of their potential.
“Spencer was fantastic on the field Saturday night and off the field since the day he got here,” Beamer stated. “I would imagine it’s the same for DJ and the way that he is in their program also.”
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