2020 DJ vs the other DJ; 2023 Storylines

Jan 1, 2024, 3:15 PM

I’ve heard a lot about how DJ was a “great” QB in 2020 for 2 games filling in for Trevor Lawrence but “something happened” and he “was never the same”. Has anyone considered that the thing that happened was Travis E. moved on to the NFL? Is it possible that much of DJ’s success came from defenses being so concerned about the two-time reigning ACC Player of the Year, leading rusher in conference history and guy with a career 7+ yard-per-carry average that they were willing to try and make a true freshman QB beat them?

Do you remember that we were down by 18 to BC and only won that game thanks to 220+ rushing and receiving yards from Travis? Do you think Notre Dame didn’t see that film? They did everything they could to stop Travis — they even scored on a botched handoff because they were in the backfield so quickly. Travis averaged 1.6 yards per carry that game and they forced the true freshman QB to try and beat them. DJ had advantageous match-ups with senior receivers against a secondary concentrating on stopping the run. And despite all the passing yards given up it worked. DJ threw for a ton of yards, Travis got shutdown and Clemson lost that game.

The next year there was no Travis and teams schemed to stop “Heisman Candidate” DJU. Beginning in 2021 his weaknesses have been on display. Poor decisions, accuracy issues and streaky play that generally degrades after a mistake. Since then his best games have come against poor competition (including 2022 WF and the early Oregon State schedule).

Can DJ ever succeed at that 2020 level without a game breaking threat that causes teams to regard him as an afterthought? Is this just who he is? A strong-armed project like Dan McGwire or Rob Johnson (look them up) that will never develop beyond flashes seen when little was expected? FSU seems to be betting against that and the last three years of the history to support it.

Here’s another interesting storyline. DJ has ditched his last two teams prior to embarrassing, blowout postseason losses. After getting shafted by so many portal players in the worst bowl point-differential in history FSU just hired maybe the most experienced opt-out in college football history.

Should be interesting…

flag link

military_tech

thumb_down

thumb_up

Re: 2020 DJ vs the other DJ; 2023 Storylines

2020 DJ vs the other DJ; 2023 Storylines

Re: 2020 DJ vs the other DJ; 2023 Storylines

Re: 2020 DJ vs the other DJ; 2023 Storylines

Breaking news having good players make rest of team look better***

TigerBoard POTD