The Clemson University football team’s offensive assistant coaches met with the media at the Clemson Media Day last week.

Coaches said Hunter Helms, who played at Gray Collegiate Academy in West Columbia, has worked his way into the No. 2 quarterback role for the national powerhouse Tigers. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson’s quarterback last year, was the first player taken in the 2021 NFL draft. He plays for Jacksonville now.

“Hunter Helms is going into fall camp our No. 2 guy. He’s doing a really good job and really understands our system.” said Brandon Streeter, Tiger quarterbacks coach.

Helms has impressed coaches enough so that Clemson did not seriously consider taking a transfer quarterback. The Tigers’ coaching staff feels good about Helms because he has worked hard and earned his opportunity.
D.J. Uiagalelei will be the starter for Clemson.

Uiagalelei has confidence in Helms, too.
“Whenever Hunter Helms gets in, he’s going to be ready to play,” Uiagalelei said. “I know that for sure. I’ve got all the confidence in the world that when Hunter gets in the game he’s going to perform and he’s going to do a great job because of the way he works.”

Helms got some playing time as a freshman in 2020. He completed 9 of 12 passes for 77 yards and two touchdowns in 22 plays in three games.