By Dave Holcomb
SouthernPigskin.com

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Dave Holcomb breaks down Clemson’s 2022 offense.

Dabo Swinney became the third coach in college football history with at least 150 victories before finishing a decade and a half in coaching. Swinneys 15th season at Clemson will begin this fall, and if the Tigers go on another historic run, Swinney will approach the all-time wins mark at the school held by Frank Howard by the end of 2022.

But as great as Clemson felt ending the 2021 season with six straight victories, including a bowl win against Iowa State, and reaching the 10-win plateau for an 11th consecutive season, theres plenty of questions surrounding the Tigers, particularly on offense, this offseason.

To return as the top team in the ACC, Clemson will have to be better through the air under a new offensive coordinator this fall.

The biggest personnel question for the Tigers this offseason is the teams quarterback situation. While the Tigers didnt lose after Halloween, it wasnt really because of the passing game.

D.J. Uiagalelei finished the season averaging just 6.0 yards per pass with nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also posted a 55.6% completion percentage.

Down the stretch, Uiagalelei’s passing numbers improved slightly but not dramatically. He averaged 6.5 yards per attempt with a 56.6% completion percentage, five touchdowns and five interceptions in the final six wins.

This offseason, Clemson added 5-star quarterback Cade Klubnik in the 2022 recruiting class. According to the 247Sports composite rankings, Klubnik is the best quarterback prospect and No. 6 overall player in the class.

On the surface, the Tigers may have another Kelly Bryant-Trevor Lawrence situation on their hands. Who does Swinney start behind center at the beginning of the season the tenured starter with dual-threat capabilities and an impressive win-loss record or the inexperienced but better overall passer? In 2018, Bryant began the year but Lawrence became the starter and led Clemson to a national championship.

However, theres one big difference between Bryant versus Lawrence and Uiagalelei versus Klubnik. Uiagalelei was also a 5-star recruit and top 10 overall prospect just two years ago. Bryant was a 3-star recruit and not among the best 400 players in the 2015 class according to 247Sports.

Theres also another difference. Swinney has been comparing Klubnik to Deshaun Watson, not Lawrence.

“He’s special. He’s magic,” Swinney said of Klubnik in December according to Greenville News. “He reminds me so much of Deshaun (Watson), just his traits, his attributes as a quarterback and even his frame and his build coming out of high school. Just very similar. Cade’s faster probably than Deshaun, but very similar skill sets and just a great presence.”

Results are obviously more important than traits or recruiting rankings (just ask Stetson Bennett). Overall, Uiagalelei has failed to deliver on his lofty expectations, leaving the door open for Klubnik possibly playing immediately.

All that will largely depend on the other major offensive concern Clemson must answer how does the team look with a new playcaller?

Its bad enough Clemson lost defensive coordinator Brent Venables, but it was going to happen eventually. But this offseason, Clemson had to replace both long-time coordinators.

On offense, the Tigers promoted Brandon Streeter to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, replacing Tony Elliott, who had been the teams offensive coordinator since 2015. Streeter started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Clemson in 2004 and returned to the Tigers to coach the quarterbacks under Elliott in 2015.

In his first season as an FBS coordinator, Streeter will be tasked with fixing Uiagalelei while also developing Klubnik. Meanwhile on defense, Clemson promoted Wes Goodwin to defensive coordinator.

With two promotions, the Tigers are keeping their staff continuity but that doesnt guarantee success. Its been talked about in college football circles that Swinney is more of the CEO of the Clemson football program rather than the xs and os expert. For in-game strategy, hes relied heavily on his coordinators and staff.

Assuming thats true, the 2022 season is a big test for Swinney. Only one of his 11 10-win seasons has come without Venables by his side.

The good news is running backs Kobie Pace and Will Shipley will return, giving the Tigers an opportunity to be great on the ground again. Clemson displayed a commitment to running the ball, averaging 194.7 rushing yards per contest, during its six-game winning streak at the end of 2021.

But while that philosophy could get the Tigers to 10 wins again, Clemson will have to be better at quarterback under a first-time FBS coordinator to win another championship ACC or otherwise in 2022.