BREAKING: FSU Football Lands Top Transfer Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei
Florida State has their starting quarterback for the 2024 season, as DJ Uiagalelei has announced his commitment to FSU, through a message to ESPN's Pete Thamel. Uiagalelei spent last season at Oregon State, leading the Beavers to an 8-4 record and an AP Poll ranking as high as 10th. He is a graduate transfer with one year left to play.
Last season in Corvallis, Uiagalelei threw for 2,638 yards, 21 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while completing 57.1% of his passes, adding another six touchdowns on the ground. Beginning his career at Clemson, he started 28 games, throwing for 5,681 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions, completing 59.8% of his passes while adding 913 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. He was a five-star prospect in the 2020 recruiting class, the 2nd overall prospect in 247's rankings, the 10th overall prospect in 247's composite rankings, and the highest-rated Pro-Style QB.
Uiagalelei visited Tallahassee the weekend of December 15th and concluded a multi-day visit by saying to the media, "I think the legacy here at Florida State speaks for itself." He complimented the offensive coaching staff of head coach Mike Norvell, offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins, and quarterbacks coach Tony Tokarz, noting their transparency and ability to answer any questions he had.
"They know what they're doing; that's the biggest thing for me," he'd go on to say. "They know football, they know X's and O's, they know schemes. They're great people as well."
When asked if Florida State's offense is one that would fit Uiagalelei's style, he responded emphatically with "100%... There's a reason why I'm here and a reason why I like Florida State because I think it's a great fit for me."
Oregon State's previous head coach, Jonathan Smith, took the head coaching job at Michigan State with all of the uncertainty surrounding the Beavers and their current conference situation as one of the last two teams standing in the remnants of the PAC-12. Uiagalelei decided to start somewhere fresh instead of following coach Smith to East Lansing.
Florida State hosted another quarterback transfer the same weekend as Uiagalelei, in former Washington State QB Cameron Ward, but coach Norvell and the 'Noles decided to go with Uiagalelei. Ward had visited Miami prior to visiting FSU, but Ward made the decision to declare for the NFL Draft instead of transferring for his final year of eligibility.
Uiagalelei is the second transfer to pledge his services to the Seminoles, joining former Georgia defensive end and FSU legacy Marvin Jones Jr.
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