D.J. Uiagalelei’s time is now for the Clemson Tigers.

Patience has been a virtue for Clemson’s new starting quarterback. After waiting for former Tiger quarterback Trevor Lawrence to head off to the NFL, Uiagalelei is now Clemson’s unquestioned starter. The Tigers take on Georgia in Charlotte at 7:30 Saturday night in what is widely considered the marquee college football game of the weekend.

Here are 5 things to know about the sure-to-be star, Uiagalelei:

Uiagalelei has playing experience

Just in case you weren’t completely tuned in last season, which was admittedly bizarre with the COVID-19 pandemic affecting most everything, Uiagalelei saw significant playing time when Lawrence was sidelined by the virus. He played extremely well.

Against Boston College last season, Uiagalelei completed 31-of-40 passes for 342 yards and two touchdowns. Uiagalelei led Clemson to the comeback win after being down by 18 points.

Uiagalelei has marquee playing experience

No offense to Boston College, but its program doesn’t exactly move the needle. After the comeback win against the Eagles, Uiagalelei was also named the starter against Notre Dame the following week. It was certainly a big-time matchup.

Clemson didn’t get the win, but Uiagalelei didn’t shy away from the spotlight. He completed 29-of-44 passes for 439 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Tigers lost in overtime. That experience should help Uiagalelei against Georgia in the season opener.

Uiagalelei has a cannon

If there is one thing that distinguishes Uiagalelei from his predecessors, like Lawrence and DeShaun Watson at Clemson, or his current college football counterparts, it is his arm. There aren’t many people in the world with a stronger, throwing arm than Uiagalelei.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart said Uiagalelei has one of the strongest arms that he’s ever seen. That makes Uiagalelei tough to defend because he can stretch the field like few other quarterbacks.

Uiagalelei already has a nationwide sponsor

As the NIL endorsements continues to ramp up, Uiagalelei is one of the first college football players to snag a national sponsor: Dr. Pepper.

So what does Uiagalelei think of the soft drink?

“I drink Dr Pepper here and there,” he told Sports Illustrated. “I mean, I don’t think you need Dr Pepper every single day, but I love Dr Pepper. I drank it as a kid. It’s a great drink. I drink it now.”

Good save.

The pronunciation isn’t that hard

Per Clemson’s website, their new starter’s name is pronounced “ooh-ee-AHN-guh-luh-lay”. Say that 5 times real fast.