DJ Uiagalelei announces he won't attend ACC Kickoff 2024 for Florida State

DJ Uiagalelei announced he wouldn’t attend the ACC Kickoff as one of the Florida State reps this summer. Instead, he wanted FSU players from last year’s title team to be on stage.

After spending a year at Oregon State, Uiagalelei transferred to Florida State this offseason. Starting his career at Clemson, DJU returned to the conference where it all began.

But he wanted the spotlight on his new teammates when talking about the program.

#NoleFamily🍢🍢 pic.twitter.com/iVxDUl4dwx

— DJ Uiagalelei (@DJUiagalelei) July 9, 2024

“I was honored to be invited by the conference to represent Florida State at this year’s ACC Kickoff,” Uiagalelei wrote. “The experience of attending that event in 2021 and 2022 is among the highlights of my time in college, and I appreciated being viewed as one of the conference’s top players heading into the season.

“However, I feel strongly that Florida State should be represented by players who were part of last year’s ACC championship team. The players who helped put this program back on top of the ACC should have the opportunity to be recognized for their contributions. This team is more than its quarterback, and I’m excited for my teammates who will experience this fantastic event.”

Mike Norvell says DJ Uiagalelei is ‘total package’

Speaking with ESPN college football analyst Greg McElroy earlier in the summer, head coach Mike Norvell expressed his belief that Uiagalelei brings the array of physical traits, quarterbacking abilities and college football experiences that have forged him into the type of signal caller he wants.

And if it all goes to plan, the type of quarterback to succeed Jordan Travis and have the Seminoles right back in the College Football Playoff race.

“I think DJ is the total package,” Norvell said. “You see an elite level talent, skill. Obviously the size. And really he has a lot of great experience. And that experience, some of it’s been really good, some of it’s been challenges that he’s had to overcome and work through but I think when you bring all of that to the person, it starts with him, with his heart.

“Just a great person, great in the locker room. The guys in that quarterback room, they’re all competing with and for each other. They love him and what he brings and it’s really been fun watching those relationships emerge.”