UPDATE: Florida State coach Mike Norvell raves about new QB transfer DJ Uiagalelei
One day after quarterback transfer DJ Uiagalelei announced he was committing to the Florida State Seminoles, FSU officially announced his addition to the roster on Tuesday morning.
Here is the release from FSU Sports Information:
Florida State has added quarterback DJ Uiagalelei to its #Tribe24 signing class, it was announced Tuesday. The Inland Empire, California, native and transfer from Oregon State previously played at Clemson and St. John Bosco High School and is the 24th member of FSU’s 2024 class.
“I’m excited to have DJ join the Nole Family,” head coach Mike Norvell said. “He is a proven winner, and his record as a starting quarterback is impressive. He has showcased incredible leadership on the field, and how he treats people off the field is remarkable. DJ is an extremely hard worker who is excited to continue to develop in this system and be around the great playmakers we have here. DJ adds a great deal of experience, talent and play-making ability into a quarterback room that we are extremely excited about as we enter 2024. He has great size and ability, is incredibly accurate pushing the ball down the field and is one of the top quarterbacks in the country in big-play percentage. I am thrilled to be adding this talented football player, dedicated student and wonderful person into our Nole Family.”
DJ Uiagalelei | QB | 6-4 | 245 | Inland Empire, Calif. | St. John Bosco/Clemson/Oregon State
Transfer from Oregon State who began his collegiate career at Clemson…has appeared in 48 games with 40 starts and holds 30-10 record as starter…totaled 9,451 yards of total offense courtesy of 8,319 yards and 57 touchdowns passing and 1,132 yards and 21 touchdowns rushing…2023 Davey O’Brien Award semifinalist…started all 12 games he appeared in 2023, leading Beavers to 8-4 regular-season record…was 180-of-315 passing for 2,638 yards and 21 touchdowns with 219 rushing yards and six scores…passing touchdowns total tied for sixth-highest single-season output in OSU history…produced big-time throw rate of 6.8 percent to rank among nation’s leaders via PFF…QBR of 80.6 ranked 13th nationally…was 19-of-25 for 275 yards and career-high-tying five touchdowns in 52-40 victory at Cal…averaged 20 yards per completion in 26-9 win vs. San Diego State and 62-17 win vs. Stanford…ranks in top-10 on Clemson career lists for completions, passing touchdowns, quarterback rushing touchdowns, passing yards and wins as starting quarterback…was 515-of-861 passing for 5,681 yards and 36 touchdowns while adding 913 yards and 15 touchdowns on 275 rush attempts and finishing 22-6 in starts during three seasons with Tigers…two-time All-ACC Academic Team selection and three-time ACC Honor Roll recipient…was 26-of-41 passing for 371 yards and career-high five passing scores in 51-45 win at No. 21 Wake Forest in 2022, becoming first Clemson player with at least 370 passing yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions since Heisman Trophy finalist Deshaun Watson in 2015…pass efficiency rating of 146.4 in 2020 was fifth-highest by ACC freshman since 2002…was 30-of-41 passing for 342 yards and two touchdowns plus one rushing score in first collegiate start to lead Tigers to 34-28 win vs. Boston College…18-point comeback vs. Eagles was largest in Memorial Stadium history…passed for career-high and CU freshman-record 439 yards with two touchdowns on 29 completions and added rushing score at No. 4 Notre Dame…broke record for most passing yards by Irish opponent, bettering previous mark of 425 yards set by Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer from USC in 2002…rated as No. 2 prospect nationally, No. 1 pro-style quarterback and No. 2 prospect from California in Class of 2020 by 247Sports…also rated as country’s No. 1 pocket passer by ESPN…named U.S. Army All-American after leading St. John Bosco to No. 1 national ranking and California 7A state championship his senior year…passed for 410 yards and four touchdowns and had 67 yards and one touchdown rushing in state championship game…named 2018 National Offensive Player of the Year by USA Today.
FIRST REPORT
The month of December was a very challenging time for Florida State after the Seminoles were snubbed by the College Football Playoff, despite going 13-0, and numerous players opted out of the Orange Bowl.
But the Seminoles are looking ahead to the future in 2024, and head coach Mike Norvell got the new year started with a bang as former Clemson and Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei committed to the Seminoles on Monday, according to On3’s Pete Nakos and ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Uiagalelei visited Florida State in December and gave strong vibes that he would like to finish his college career with the Seminoles. Among the things he said he liked about FSU was the way Norvell developed Jordan Travis into one of the top players in college football.
“I definitely like Florida State a lot,” Uiagalelei said after the visit. “I think they have done an unbelievable job, and I’m thankful for the opportunity for Coach Norvell bringing me in here. It was a great weekend.”
Uiagalelei even called FSU, “a great fit” for him.
The former five-star recruit passed for 2,638 yards and 21 touchdowns while throwing seven interceptions last season at Oregon State.
“I wouldn’t come here if I wasn’t interested,” Uiagalelei said of his December visit. “Like there’s a reason why I’m here, and there’s a reason why I like Florida State. Because I think it’s a great fit for me. … They push the ball down the field, they’ve got playmakers outside, have a great offensive line, and they score a lot of points man. For me, man, my biggest thing is I want to continue to keep getting development as a quarterback. …
“I feel like under Coach Norvell and a lot of coaches here, they can take my game to the next level. Just continue to get me developed.”
Along with his passing statistics, Uiagalelei also rushed for eight touchdowns and over 200 yards for the Beavers.
Norvell posted the following message on social media following Monday’s announcement:
Florida State was already looking for a transfer quarterback heading into the offseason, but it is imperative now following the decision by junior Tate Rodemaker to enter the transfer portal. The Seminoles have just two scholarships on the roster right now — 2023 signee Brock Glenn and 2024 signee Luke Kromenhoek.
Earlier in December, Florida State added another big transfer as former Georgia Bulldogs edge rusher Marvin Jones Jr. committed to the Seminoles. Now, they will be looking to add several more.
Stay connected with Warchant.com for more transfer news.
Talk about this story with other die-hard Florida State football fans on the Tribal Council.
