ACC Football

The Miami Hurricanes secured the commitment of 4-star offensive tackle Jalen Rivers on Sunday morning. 

COMMITED‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/s5Hazv7Uc7

— JALEN RIVERS (@JalenRivers01) June 9, 2019

Rivers is the No. 18 offensive tackle in the class of 2020, the No. 21 player from the state of Florida and the No. 152 player overall, according to 247Sports.com's Composite Rankings.

Miami wasn't without competition for the 6'6" and 331-pound tackle—he was also considering Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Florida State, per Tom VanHaaren of ESPN.com.

"I picked Miami because I just feel like it's for me," he told Andrew Ivins of 247Sports. "I felt it in my heart. I like the coaching staff and I love the area. I just like the overall feel of Miami. You couldn't ask for a better place."

David Lake of 247Sports broke down Rivers' game, projecting him as either a right tackle or guard:

"Rivers has the length to potentially be a right tackle, but he is going to need to improve his athleticism in order to be a consistent player at the college level there. Ideally, Rivers is a road-grading guard that can wear down an opposing defensive line during the course of a game with his combination of size and strength. Rivers is the type of offensive lineman that can open up running lanes in the second half as a defense wears down."

He's the latest addition in what has already been an impressive 2020 recruiting period for the Hurricanes. The team ranks fourth in 247Sports' composite rankings, with 5-star running back Don Chaney Jr. leading the class. Rivers is one of eight 4-star recruits for the Hurricanes in total, including wideouts Bryan Robinson and Marcus Fleming and quarterback Tyler Van Dyke.

Suffice to say, the Hurricanes are building the makings of an impressive offense for the future. And new head coach Manny Diaz left an impression on Rivers.

"[Coach Diaz] just wants to build the program and make it better," he said. "As a person, I love being around him. He's great to talk to. We were in a meeting with him the last time we were down there, and it was great. That was the most I have ever talked to a head coach in a meeting."

Mack Brown is currently in his second stint as head coach at North Carolina, but his first go at the job has paid off in a way that has nothing to do with football. 

Per ESPN.com, a spokesman for the Tar Heels football team announced one of Mack's former players, Dr. Michael Bolognesi, performed knee replacement surgery for the legendary coach. 

Brown issued a statement on Bolognesi repairing his knee Monday:

"First off, how cool is it that one of our former players replaced my knee yesterday. We talk about building young men so they can be productive husbands, fathers and citizens. Carolina produces a lot of special people and I'm happy we were able to play a small part in Mike's development because we counted on him and he, along with the rest of the surgical and anesthetic team, did a tremendous job."

Prior to his 16-year tenure at the University of Texas, Brown spent 10 seasons at North Carolina from 1988-97. 

Bolognesi was a defensive back for the Tar Heels from 1989-93. 

Brown was hired to lead the Tar Heels football team last November after Larry Fedora was fired following back-to-back nine-loss seasons. 

It will be Brown's first head-coaching job since he resigned from Texas following the 2013 season. He was discharged from the hospital on the same day as the operation. 

North Carolina will open the 2019 season at home against South Carolina on August 31. 

Clemson tight end Braden Galloway and offensive lineman Zach Giella have been ruled ineligible for the 2019 season after the NCAA denied their appeals against suspensions for using PEDs. 

Per a statement from the players' representatives (h/t The Athletic's Matt Fortuna) Friday, the NCAA denied their appeal on bans related to positive tests for Ostarine prior to last season's College Football Playoff:

https://twitter.com/Matt_Fortuna/status/1131911069264502785

Galloway, Giella and Dexter Lawrence were all suspended prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship against Alabama for failed drug tests. 

Per ESPN.com, ostarine is used to build muscle mass and hasn't been approved by the United States' Food and Drug Association, but it has been "used in supplements without being included on the [product] label."

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said there was a "chance" the players may have accidentally been given something by the athletic department that they believed to be cleared by the NCAA. 

"They're going to test everything and look at everything," he told Grace Raynor and Gene Sapakoff of the Post and Courier in February. "And that's the problem. As you really look at this stuff, it could be a contaminant that came from anything, that was something that was cleared and not a problem, and all of a sudden, it becomes there was something."

Lawrence declared for the NFL draft after Clemson won the national championship. He was drafted No. 17 overall by the New York Giants in April. 

By losing their appeal, Galloway and Giella will also forfeit one year of eligibility. Giella would be entering his senior season, meaning his career with the Tigers is over. Galloway will be able to return for his junior year in 2020.

Five-star defensive end Myles Murphy, whom 247Sports lists as the eighth overall prospect in the class of 2020 in its composite rankings, chose to attend Clemson on Friday.

ESPN's Tom VanHaaren provided a breakdown of the Tigers' stacked recruiting class, which is the best in the nation:

The No. 2 ranked recruit in the country, Myles Murphy, has committed to Clemson. The Tigers now have three five-star commitments in the class.

They also have 14 ESPN 300 commitments, which is the most of any program, one ahead of Alabama, and the No. 1 ranked class overall. pic.twitter.com/X4M4vJnN58

— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) May 18, 2019

The 6'5", 260-pound Murphy, who plays for Hillgrove High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, had 16 offers. He's ranked as the second-best strong-side defensive end in his class and the top overall prospect in Georgia.

Among the programs Clemson beat out for Murphy are Alabama, Auburn and Georgia.

Per the Marietta Daily Journal, Murphy finished with 55 tackles and five sacks in 2018. Hillgrove lost in the 7A state quarterfinals to Milton, who eventually won the championship. Thanks in part to Murphy's efforts, Hillgrove allowed just 15.2 points per game and went 12-1.

Murphy won't travel far to join head coach Dabo Swinney and the Tigers, who have found much success of late. Under Swinney, the team is 55-4 in its last four seasons with three national championship appearances and two titles.   

The Hillgrove defensive end not only joins a dominant team, but he could also eventually be part of a star-studded group of Tigers defensive players from recent years, including defensive lineman Clelin Ferrell, Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence, all of whom were taken in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft.

Murphy has the potential to add his name to the list of players drafted out of Clemson.

Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney said Friday he remains firmly committed to the Tigers despite a buzzworthy contract clause that increases his buyout amount if he leaves for Alabama. 

Swinney told David M. Hale of ESPN.com the university presented the Bama clause amid speculation he could be the eventual replacement for Nick Saban with the Crimson Tide, and he "didn't have a problem with it" because he's happy at Clemson.

"People always like to say one plus one equals two, and it's a simple thing," he said. "I don't pay any attention. I was at Alabama 13 years. I love Alabama and always will. That won't change. But I'm going on my 17th year at Clemson, my 11th as head coach. I love where I am, love what I do."

Swinney started his coaching career at Alabama, where he played collegiate football from 1990 through 1992, as a graduate assistant in 1993. He became a member of the Tide's offensive staff in 1996 and filled a few different roles before leaving in 2000.

The 49-year-old Alabama native joined the Clemson staff in 2003 and worked up the ranks to offensive coordinator in 2008 and then head coach in 2009.

He's guided the Tigers to a 116-30 record across 11 years with two national championships in the past three years, including last season's title. He's also won the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award as the nation's top head coach three times since 2015.

Swinney told Hale his new deal at Clemson, which runs through the 2028 season, was meant to "send a message" he's intending to stay at the school for a long time, though he left the door open to change his mind if circumstances with the Tigers or the NCAA change:

"Who knows what's going to happen down the road? I have no idea. I just try to be great where my feet are. That's my focus every day. Who knows? They may do away with college football in three years. There may be no college football. They may want to professionalize college athletics.

"Well, then, maybe I'll go to the pros. If I'm going to coach pro football, I might as well do that. I may get a terrible president or a terrible AD one day. I don't know. I have no idea what's down the road. But I know what we have at Clemson is special, and I wanted to make a commitment to the university. That's what the message of the contract was."

Meanwhile, Saban recently explained to the SEC Network's Paul Finebaum (via Brad Crawford of 247Sports) he possesses no imminent plans to enter retirement.

"I would not want to do it if I did not feel like I was able to do a good job," he said. "If my health got bad or I felt like I was not able to keep up the pace. I don't want to ride the program down. We've worked hard to make Alabama something special and as long as I'm capable of contributing to keep it that way, I'm happy doing this."

Alabama and Clemson have alternated national titles over the past four years, and met in the College Football Playoff championship game three times over that span. As long as Saban and Swinney remain in place, the Tide and Tigers should stay among the sport's elite.

Although signing day is still months away, no college football program owns a hotter recruiting streak than Clemson.

Since the beginning of April, Dabo Swinney's staff has landed commitments from a quartet of 5-star prospects and one of the highest-rated 4-stars in the 2020 class. The Tigers have surged atop the rankings for the cycle, and they're not finished.

The evidence points to continued excellence in the near future. Several other 5-stars and top-ranked 4-stars hold offers from the ACC powerhouse and have Clemson atop their interest lists.

This could be the best recruiting class ever. And that's not hyperbole.

Urban Meyer currently owns the title, no matter which way you measure it. His 28-man 2010 class at Florida garnered a total score of 324.62, per the 247Sports composite rankings. On a per-player basis, the 2017 Ohio State haul stands atop the record books.

Thanks to this recent surge, Clemson is poised to challenge the latter.

Clemson’s current class average per the @247Sports Composite Rankings sits at 95.72

The top recruiting class ever by average player rating belongs to the 2017 Ohio State group at 94.59

— Tiger Commenter (@TigerCommenter) May 5, 2019

Over a 28-day span from April 8 to May 5, the Tigers averaged one 5-star pledge per week―a pretty decent rate. Cornerback Fred Davis II kicked off the streak, followed by defensive lineman Bryan Bresee, running back Demarkcus Bowman and quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. Clemson also added RJ Mickens―the No. 1 safety in this cycle―two days before Davis' commitment.

As if that isn't impressive enough, a trio of top-10 talents reportedly have Clemson in their group of finalists.

Ranked fifth nationally, defensive end Jordan Burch is trending toward the Tigers. Wide receiver Julian Fleming, the No. 6 prospect, placed Clemson in his final six. Finally, Myles Murphy is scheduled to reveal his college choice May 17. As of this writing, all 13 predictions on 247Sports expect the No. 8 overall defensive end to pick Clemson.

According to the 247Sports class calculator, landing that trio would vault Clemson past a total score of 300. But even if only Burch and Murphy commit, the Tigers will remain in great position to make a run at 2017 Ohio State.

https://twitter.com/BigMurphy_25/status/1125576448985661446

Clemson has a limited number of spots for this cycle because it took 29 players in 2019. Early indications are the Tigers have 20 to 22 scholarships available, and they'll fall short of 2010 Florida because of that lower volume.

Landing two 5-stars is essential to chasing down 2017 Ohio State.

The necessary asterisk is that the following information is based on the latest reports, and recruiting news changes every day. These are 17- and 18-year-olds who are being bombarded with praise and attention and opportunities to travel all over the country. Today's perception may be irrelevant next month.

At this moment, though, Clemson sits in a favorable position with running back Kobe Pryor, wide receiver E.J. Williams and safety Tyler Venables―the son of defensive coordinator Brent Venables. Those pledges would change the average prospect rating to .9501.

The final touches on the class hold the intrigue. Swinney and Co. would likely be eyeing some combination of a tight end, wide receiver and linebacker for the closing spots.

If the Tigers grab Fleming, he'll secure the record. If they land wideout Xzavier Henderson, it'll be a cozy finish.

Clemson is thin on top-rated targets at tight end―Diego LaMonica, ranked No. 1,307 nationally, is emerging as a top option―so a senior-year rating bump may provide the difference between surpassing Ohio State and falling short.

That applies to the entire class.

Each of the major recruiting services will tweak rankings after summer camps and again following the fall season. Some of these pledges will rise, while others may fall. Given that nobody has decommitted from Clemson since 2016―yes, for real―there shouldn't be much movement outside of adding to the group.

Provided the Tigers land two 5-stars, the most important changes will otherwise happen within the current commits. Earning a boost to their ratings can seal Clemson's place in history.

While high recruiting rankings are the best indicator of success, nothing is guaranteed. That should be understood in 2019.

Regardless of the result―whether the 2020 class tops Ohio State or not―the main takeaway is clear: Clemson has never recruited this effectively. After the Tigers' two national titles in the last three years, that should terrify the rest of college football.

          

All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from NCAA.com, cfbstats.com or B/R research. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.

Since quarterback is the most important position on the football field, the Clemson Tigers scored a crucial win after securing a commitment from prized recruit DJ Uiagalelei. 

The Oregon Ducks were the other finalist for Uiagalelei.

https://twitter.com/DJUiagalelei/status/1125113014229749760

Uiagalelei will arrive on campus with a mountain of hype surrounding him. The California native is a 5-star prospect who is ranked as the No. 1 pro-style quarterback and No. 13 overall player in the 2020 class, per 247Sports' composite rankings. 

Despite still being in high school, Uiagalelei wouldn't look out of place at the NFL Scouting Combine. He's already physically developed at 6'4" and 240 pounds and made great strides as a passer during his sophomore season in 2017, per 247Sports' Blair Angulo:

"Known as a flamethrower with a cannon arm, Uiagalelei has taken his game to another level this year and shown the ability to put the necessary touch on his throws. He is still developing as a passer, but he's now fitting passes in between defenders and timing his throws perfectly to hit receivers in stride. Uiagalelei is a big, strong prospect that is difficult to bring down and can extend plays with his legs when the pocket collapses. He's accurate while rolling out to either side and has the arm strength to make throws of all lengths."

A quarterback with the natural tools Uiagalelei possesses is everything a head coach dreams of being able to work with. The Tigers' coaching staff will be tasked with taking those skills and shaping them into a potential superstar who can lead them to new heights starting next year. 

Head coach Dabo Swinney continues to nail recruiting at all positions, with quarterback becoming a particularly strong area. 

After Kelly Bryant disappointed in 2017, Clemson bounced back at the position thanks to the arrival of freshman sensation Trevor Lawrence. He led the Tigers to the College Football Playoff Championship in his debut season, torching Alabama's defense for 347 yards and three touchdowns in a 44-16 win. 

With Lawrence eligible for the NFL draft in 2020, Swinney and offensive coordinator Tony Elliott needed to find a potential replacement who can step in right away to keep the Tigers among the nation's elite. 

Uiagalelei is poised to be the leader of a Clemson team that competes for championships every year. It's a lot of pressure for a freshman to walk into, but he's got the skills to handle it whenever Swinney puts him under center. 

Running back Demarkcus Bowman announced Friday he's decided to continue his football career at Clemson.

The high-upside rusher revealed his decision in a commitment video with Shooters Touch Films:

Bowman checks in as a 5-star prospect, the No. 17 overall player and the second-best running back in the 2020 recruiting class, based on 247Sports' composite rankings. He's also listed as the top recruit from the football-rich state of Florida.

This commitment adds to the No. 1 recruiting class for 2020, according to 247Sports.

With running back DeMarkcus Bowman committed, Clemson has more commitments ranked in the top-50 (7) than all but two FBS programs have in total ESPN 300 commitments. The Tigers have 12 ESPN 300 commitments overall. #AllIn #Clemson

— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) May 3, 2019

The Lakeland Senior High School star is a powerful back with the ability to grind out yards between the tackles or hit the edge of a big gain. It gives him the potential to become a three-down workhorse, which is a fading art in the age of backfield committees.

Lakeland head coach Bill Castle said the team's standout running back "worked hard" to become a more complete player, per Roy Fuoco of The Ledger.

"He's a north-and-south runner," Castle said in November. "He gets his pads squared and goes down the line of scrimmage. He's got good vision and the ability to make players miss. He's got the power. His legs are real strong."

College teams clearly took notice as Bowman received scholarship offers from top programs across the country before making his decision.

The learning curve at running back isn't quite as steep as it is at other skill positions, so there's a good chance Bowman could make a reserve impact for head coach Dabo Swinney and Clemson as a freshman.

More importantly, his skill set suggests it's only a matter of time before he takes over the top spot on the Tigers depth chart and plays a critical role in the team's success on a weekly basis.

CHINO, Calif. — His right arm can throw a football 85 yards, has made him the consensus top quarterback recruit in the country and has earned him comparisons to Cam Newton. It can also throw a baseball 95 miles per hour and has inspired MLB scouts to say he reminds them of a young Roger Clemens.     

But on this Friday night in February, DJ Uiagalelei's right arm is doing neither. Doctor's orders.

The junior from St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California, has been asked to avoid throwing a football, a baseball, anything, as he recovers from surgery to repair a torn tendon in his left (non-throwing) middle finger. A spring that was supposed to be occupied with football and baseball has been temporarily derailed.

So instead, wearing gym clothes as he sits on his family room couch, he scrolls through a Twitter feed that doesn't care about where his right arm is right now or the status of his middle finger—as long as it doesn't get in the way of seemingly limitless future.

The speculation there is endless. And it will be until he commits to a college on May 5. Clemson, Oregon and Mt. San Antonio College (where his uncles coach) are the finalists, he announced Wednesday, but he's also been offered by Alabama, USC, Ohio State, Michigan, on and on.

---

Editor's note: Uiagalelei committed to Clemson on Sunday.

---

And when he picks a college, it will only begin the next wave of speculation. Football or baseball?

Former Oklahoma quarterback and center fielder Kyler Murray has recalibrated the definition of the two-sport athlete, having been selected by the Oakland A's in the top 10 in the 2018 MLB draft and now by the Arizona Cardinals No. 1 overall in the 2019 NFL draft. Uiagalelei could follow in his footsteps.

Why not?

"I want to play both sports in college," Uiagalelei tells B/R. "I really would like to play football and baseball as long as I can. If I get lucky enough to be able to play Major League Baseball or in the NFL, that would be a blessing."

His right arm is opening the doors. Uiagalelei just needs to choose which ones to walk through.

---

DJ isn't the only Uiagalelei blessed with remarkable genetics. His younger brother, Matayo, who is still in eighth grade, has multiple football scholarship offers of his own, including ones from LSU and USC. At 6'4" and 225 pounds, Matayo is on track to be one of the most coveted tight ends or defensive players in the country when his time comes.

For as big as the brothers already are, they live in the shadow of their father, David Uiagalelei, a 394-pound mountain of a man with the smile and personality to match.

In high school, David—who is now known around Southern California as "Big Dave"—went by the nickname "Halftime Show." His ability to uncork spectacular dunks at more than 300 pounds was widely celebrated, although these moments never came during actual games. They came during halftimes and intermissions, when he was often in street clothes, ineligible to play to suit up because of his grades.

"I was what you might call a troubled kid in high school," David says. "I didn't like school. I didn't follow the rules. I always thought I could get away with things because of my athletic ability.

"I made sure both of my sons were nothing like me."

I thank every1 who poured into DJ's life. From when he started playing sports as a young child. To the young man he is today. Thank you son for being obedient to the hard work, sacrifice and respecting the process. Because of it, you've made me, mom and your whole family proud. pic.twitter.com/vhoigFkdVa

— Big Dave Uiagalelei (@DUiagalelei) April 20, 2019

David turned his comic book physique into a career. For more than a decade, he traveled the world with Chris Brown, T-Pain, DJ Khaled and other popular musicians as a personal bodyguard.

But in 2010, when DJ was nine, he began to question why his father was never around. So David abandoned his lucrative profession for a job as a resource officer at his former high school, Ganesha High in Pomona, California—the very place his own enormous athletic potential was never realized.

David knew early on that things would be different for DJ, who liked school and avoided the setbacks that he could not. When Indiana offered him a scholarship in sixth grade, David knew it was just the beginning, even if DJ didn't understand what the offer meant. Before he threw a single pass at Bosco, DJ had five scholarship offers in hand.

Having never enjoyed a recruitment of his own, David has embraced the hysteria.

"This guy, he's a social butterfly," his wife, Tausha Uiagalelei, says. "He can talk to anybody."

On occasion, David and DJ will clash about what the former shares on social media or the things he says, but the two mostly see eye to eye. And when it comes to the games themselves, David has removed himself of all influence and direction with the coaches.

"I'm not trying to be the next LaVar Ball," he says. "I'm just enjoying every minute of this and helping my son make the decision that is right for him."

---

In the past five years, Jason Negro has coached two once-in-a-lifetime high school quarterbacks. The luxury is not lost on Bosco's head football coach, who sits behind his desk in his spacious football office while preparing for another camp.

To his right, a handful of framed football jerseys of former Bosco players hang on the wall. The most notable is Josh Rosen, who committed to UCLA as the nation's No. 1 quarterback recruit in 2015 and was selected by the Cardinals 10th overall in the 2018 NFL draft.

Years from now, Uiagalelei will have his own space on the wall.

"I think they're both going to be amazing NFL players," Negro says of his former and current quarterbacks. "I know that's saying a lot about where I believe DJ is going. But if he continues to trend in this direction, I don't see him being anything less than what Josh is."

Over the past two seasons, Uiagalelei has accounted for 87 touchdowns (77 passing) and has thrown only nine interceptions. He's also lost only two games—both to fellow California powerhouse Mater Dei.

"He has generational arm talent," says Barton Simmons, director of scouting for 247Sports. "It's certainly one of the strongest arms we've ever scouted."

This past season, 16 out of 32 seniors at Bosco signed with Division I programs. Even for a school that regularly pumps out Division I prospects, it was a historic year. Amid the surplus of talent all over the field, though, Uiagalelei is approaching a threshold few ever have.

As a result, the coaching staff is doing everything in its power to protect its prized asset—denying almost every interview request and treating him the way a college or NFL team treats its stars.

"He has a four-year window to make the best of high school, and we certainly don't want all these external forces clouding that up," Negro says. "Right now, everyone wants a piece."

While his recruitment has finally slowed with the potential suitors more clearly defined, there was a stretch when Uiagalelei says he was receiving scholarships daily. The number of offers is so robust that he laughs at the thought of keeping track.

247Sports, which has Uiagalelei as the No. 3 overall recruit in the 2020 class, lists 30 major programs as having made offers. Rivals, which has him at No. 1 overall, lists 32. Both have him as a 5-star prospect and the top quarterback in the class, and both predict he'll commit to Clemson.

Nation’s No. 1 QB in Eugene 📍 for the Oregon spring game 💪@DJUiagalelei @oregonfootball #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/QE9DqrrEPn

— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) April 20, 2019

#1 QB prospect in country @DJUiagalelei gets ovation walking off field before #Clemson spring game! pic.twitter.com/L9vJYW4y2c

— ClemsonSportsNews (@ClemSportNews) April 6, 2019

"I honestly think a year or two from where he's at now, he could be one of the 32 guys starting in the NFL," Negro adds. "As long as he stays healthy and continues down this career path, he's gonna be a top-five or top-10 pick."

---

Before this spring, it had been more than four years since Uiagalelei actually pitched. As a freshman, he played the outfield to conserve his arm. Last season, he skipped baseball entirely.

This season, Uiagalelei pitched in two scrimmages, showing flashes of his potential before he suffered his finger injury. His fastball, his favorite pitch, sits in the low to mid-90s. His arsenal of off-speed pitches, headlined by a curveball and a slider, have bite despite having been mostly dormant for years.

Bosco head baseball coach Don Barbara had long waited to see these flashes.

"It really was unbelievable," Barbara says. "I don't think it would take him that long to get to the big leagues. Not with his arm and not with his curveball. ...

"I hear from agents and from scouts. There are a lot of people interested in him. If that guy was pitching right now, the stadium would be filled. It's crazy."

Barbara is not the only one who has heard from interested parties. Some of baseball's most prominent agents have reached out to David, trying to gauge how baseball may or may not fit into his son's future plans.

Given all of DJ's time away from pitching, it might come as a surprise that he'd create such an impression so quickly. But not to DJ himself.

"I've probably played more baseball than football in my life," he says. "Growing up, I played all year long. I wanted to be a baseball player."

Murray's decision to spurn baseball for football could ultimately impact whether a Major League Baseball team feels strongly enough about DJ to draft him next season, if it were to come to that.

What has become clear, through the uncertainty and the speculation and the regular check-ins, is that his arm and size are too tantalizing not to pursue.

---

It's mid-March, and the middle finger of his left hand is now covered by a glove. Underneath his mitt, his wrist is heavily wrapped, and the middle finger is taped to his ring finger for support. Doctors advised Uiagalelei to rest his finger for a full three months. But after only two months and nowhere close to 100 percent healed, he wanted to return to the mound.

His fastball sits in the low 90s in his regular-season debut against Orange Lutheran. Although he walks a batter and gives up a run in his return, the fact it is even happening sparks more intrigue. The question isn't how good Uiagalelei will be when he is finally healed, but what a finished, polished version of the pitcher could look like sometime down the line.

Whether that time will ever come remains to be seen. Scouts and recruiting analysts believe football is his ultimate destination. But Uiagalelei still hopes to play both as long as he possibly can.

Despite their differences in size and style, Uiagalelei intently observed how Murray navigated his way between the two sports.

"He got drafted in the first round for baseball, but I feel like people didn't know how big of a deal it was until he started showing how good he was in football," Uiagalelei says. "I felt like he could've had a lot more leverage a lot earlier in his situation."

Money and security unquestionably complicate any decision. Murray got a $4.66 million signing bonus from the A's.

"I mean, I'm still in high school," Uiagalelei says. "It's a whole different story with me and Kyler Murray. I'm just trying to play both sports right now, and there's a lot of people who are trying to do that."

Can't believe my 17 year son DJ will be a senior after this year. Time went by so fast. He is so blessed and highly favored by the most high. Thank you Lord for your unfailing Love and Mercy. May you keep blessing him and guide his every steps for all his Glory is yours Jesus. pic.twitter.com/56L7eBJ0pz

— Big Dave Uiagalelei (@DUiagalelei) April 11, 2019

Soon, Uiagalelei will announce his college destination of choice, likely altering the landscape of college football over the next 3-4 years. He then intends to turn his attention to recruiting, hoping to attract more young talent to the program he chooses. 

Along the way, he will continue to pitch. At least that's the plan right now. Not because he's worried about draft stock or the millions of dollars that could be just a year away or the pressure to grow into the next great two-sport star—a supersized encore to the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NFL draft.

But because for much of his life, he's known no other way.

       

Adam Kramer covers college football for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter: @kegsneggs.

Dabo Swinney is not leaving Clemson anytime soon.

The university and its head football coach agreed to a 10-year, $93 million contract Friday, per Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports. The deal makes him the highest-paid college football coach in terms of total value and carries a $4 million buyout, per Anna Hickey of 247Sports and Brett McMurphy of Stadium. 

$93 million for Dabo. pic.twitter.com/wpAtcBR0qf

— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) April 26, 2019

The deal carries an additional buyout clause should Swinney leave Clemson for Alabama, per Hickey:

"Additional little kicker" per Radakovich should Swinney leave for 'Bama in new contract pic.twitter.com/Ui8dDlO9FE

— Anna Adams (@AnnaH247) April 26, 2019

Swinney, 49, has been at the South Carolina program since taking over for Tommy Bowden midway through the 2008 season. The Alabama native has led the Tigers to a 116-30 record and won two of the last three national championships. Clemson has reached the College Football Playoff in each of its first four years and made three title games.

While he's unquestionably one of the nation's premier coaches, his massive salary will undoubtedly draw criticism given Swinney's stance against paying college football players. 

Swinney told the Post and Courier (via College Football Talk) in 2014:

"We've got enough entitlement in this country as it is. To say these guys get nothing totally devalues an education. It just blows my mind people don't even want to quantify an education.

"I didn't get into coaching to make money—coaches weren't making any money when I got into coaching. It's what I wanted to do with my life, and I was able to do it because of my education. That's what changed my life. That's what changes everybody's life."

That position juxtaposed with a salary that's nearly eight figures (and no doubt is topped with endorsements) will likely be a tough pill to swallow for many.

From a performance perspective, there may be no better coach in America at the moment.

Swinney's bested Nick Saban in two of their three national championship battles while still not quite being able to unseat Alabama's stranglehold atop the recruiting rankings. It's fair to say Swinney has done a better job at developing his talent in recent years than Saban, who is the unquestioned top dog in college football to many.

Clemson will enter the 2019 season as a national championship favorite again, led by potential Heisman winner Trevor Lawrence. Given how he's built the program over his first decade at the helm, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Swinney stick around and create a legendary legacy at Clemson.