Clemson Spring Game 2021: Top Storylines and Prospects to Watch

Clemson Tigers quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei got his first taste of college football action during the two-game stretch in which Trevor Lawrence was out in 2020. 

Now, the sophomore quarterback is at the helm of the program's offense. He will get his first chance to play without Lawrence on the roster in Saturday's Spring Game. 

Uiagalelei will be the main attraction in the Orange-versus-White game, but there will be a few key players missing from the exhibition.

Running back Lyn-J Dixon will not be on the gridiron, which allows Kobe Pace and the other younger players at the position to impress Dabo Swinney and his staff. 

With Justyn Ross, Braden Galloway and a few others out as well, the skill position players further down the depth chart will get a chance to shine. 

Since some of the offensive stars will be absent, the attention could shift to the defense, where Tyler Davis, Bryan Bresee and the defensive line could control the interior. 

How Does Running Depth Fill Out? 

While Uiagalelei is the easy answer to replacing Lawrence, the Tigers face a much tougher decision in finding Travis Etienne's successor. 

Dixon should be the front-runner for the spot when healthy because of his experience, but he will get pushed by younger players on the roster. 

Pace, Chaz Mellusi and the freshman duo of Will Shipley and Phil Mafah should all be in the mix for touches this season.

The Spring Game will not set the rotation in stone, but it will give Swinney's staff a better idea of which players can step up to replace the two-time 1,000-yard rusher.

Clemson may have to fill the void by committee to start, with Dixon and Pace beginning with the highest number of backfield touches. 

Shipley and Mafah are the most intriguing players to watch in the running back room since they come into Clemson with a ton of hype as top-rated recruits. 

If anything, Saturday should be a display of all the talent the Tigers have to work with at the position.

How Dominant Can The Pass Rush Be? 

Clemson's pass-rush has the potential to be one of the best in the country.

Myles Murphy, Bresee and Davis could wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks in 2021 with their agility to get through the trenches. 

Murphy was fourth on the team in tackles in 2020, and he tied with linebacker Trenton Simpson for the most sacks with four. 

Bresee was the top-rated recruit in the 2020 recruiting class, and he showed flashes of his potential throughout his first season. 

Davis has a chance to prove what he can do when healthy in 2021, and if he plays up to his potential, he could form a nasty trio with Bresee and Murphy.

Clemson has a high standard for defensive line units since Clelin Ferrell, Dexter Lawrence and Christian Wilkins were all first-round picks in 2019.

The Tigers' current unit is not at that level yet, but if they progress in the right direction, they may be comparable in a year or two. 

Uiagalelei was always going to be the starter once Lawrence left Clemson.

Because of Lawrence's positive COVID-19 test in 2020, the sophomore got an early taste of being a collegiate starter. 

His 439-yard performance against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish showed how much talent he carries in the pocket. 

Uiagalelei never looked fazed inside Notre Dame Stadium, and his inexperience was not the reason why the Tigers lost the overtime game. The reason for defeat was the defense's concession of 47 points. 

The California native went 59-for-85 with 781 yards and four touchdowns in his two starts versus Notre Dame and the Boston College Eagles. 

The win over Boston College gave Uiagalelei a different taste of the college environment, as he had to help the Tigers avoid an upset on home soil. 

Uiagalelei should only get better in his first season with all of the first-team offensive snaps, and Saturday will be the first glimpse into how much growth he has made since December. 

We saw more of Murphy last season than we did of most of Clemson's burgeoning superstars. 

Murphy tied for the team lead in sacks with four, forced three fumbles and made 18 solo tackles. 

The 12-game stretch gave us a good idea about what Clemson has on the defensive interior in its attempt to replace the talented group that left in 2019.

Murphy was able to stand out on one of the most talented rosters in college football as a freshman, so of course, there should be buzz about what he can do as a sophomore. 

The sophomore class' development should be vital to Clemson's national championship contention. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, that group of players did not get a full offseason on campus to hone their skills. 

Now Murphy and Co. have a full offseason to gain strength and work on their technique, the expectations will be much higher. 

We know Murphy is a fantastic pass-rusher, but Saturday should show us how strong he has become off the edge.

Murphy will not be able to hit the quarterbacks, but if he can beat the offensive linemen off the line of scrimmage with ease, it will give the player and his coaches more confidence in what he can achieve in 2021. 

A fast start for Murphy is required in 2021 since Clemson is building up to a season opener with the Georgia Bulldogs. 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

Statistics obtained from ESPN.com.