OT: DJU's FSU debut drawing criticism

[18IsTheMan]

Always thought it was a very odd choice for Norvell. The season is young, so perhaps, DJ will turn it around and have a great season. But, odds are, the QB at his 3rd program in 5 years is gonna be who he has been at his previous 2 programs.

This is the danger of the portal. Norvell is in his 5th season as FSU head coach, but found himself needing to take a maybe slightly above average QB from the portal instead of having a QB recruit they had developed ready to take over the program. Travis was their starter for 3 years. In that time that couldn't recruit and develop a single QB?

DJ Uiagalelei's Lackluster Florida State Debut Led to Lots of Jokes

DJ Uiagalelei was ripped for struggling in his first start for Florida State.

www.si.com

 

[Lurker123]

Always thought it was a very odd choice for Norvell. The season is young, so perhaps, DJ will turn it around and have a great season. But, odds are, the QB at his 3rd program in 5 years is gonna be who he has been at his previous 2 programs.

This is the danger of the portal. Norvell is in his 5th season as FSU head coach, but found himself needing to take a maybe slightly above average QB from the portal instead of having a QB recruit they had developed ready to take over the program. Travis was their starter for 3 years. In that time that couldn't recruit and develop a single QB?

DJ Uiagalelei's Lackluster Florida State Debut Led to Lots of Jokes

DJ Uiagalelei was ripped for struggling in his first start for Florida State.

www.si.com

Yeah, I would have avoided that guy like the plague. Surely there was a decent qb in the portal? Or to your point, surely a 3 or 4 star guy would have signed and could be developed.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Yeah, I would have avoided that guy like the plague. Surely there was a decent qb in the portal? Or to your point, surely a 3 or 4 star guy would have signed and could be developed.

Granted, I don't follow FSU recruiting at all. Looking back, since the 2021 class, they have only recruited 2 QBs: AJ Duffy in 2022, Brock Glenn in 2023 and Luke Kromenhoek in 2024. Duffy was a top 300 player but has transferred out after he was run off in favor of DJU.

Odd that a program with championship/playoff aspirations has such little action at QB. I assume maybe they are looking at this year as a stop gap until they turn the reins over to Kromenhoek next year.

 

[Lurker123]

Granted, I don't follow FSU recruiting at all. Looking back, since the 2021 class, they have only recruited 2 QBs: AJ Duffy in 2022, Brock Glenn in 2023 and Luke Kromenhoek in 2024. Duffy was a top 300 player but has transferred out after he was run off in favor of DJU.

Odd that a program with championship/playoff aspirations has such little action at QB. I assume maybe they are looking at this year as a stop gap until they turn the reins over to Kromenhoek next year.

Duffy must have been pretty bad to run him off in favor of that headcase.

We've all seen him play, FSU must have too. Why trust a guy that can make one awesome throw followed by a bunch of mistakes, 4 years out of highschool? The die is cast on that guy.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Duffy must have been pretty bad to run him off in favor of that headcase.

We've all seen him play, FSU must have too. Why trust a guy that can make one awesome throw followed by a bunch of mistakes, 4 years out of highschool? The die is cast on that guy.

Yeah, again, just an odd choice for a team that viewed themselves as contenders. Again, unless, maybe Norvell saw all the pieces they were losing and knew this was a bridge year to Kromenhoek, so he brought in DJ just to basically keep the seat warm. He won't be terrible, but you're right, the die is cast...he's not gonna be great either.

 

[Irvin Snibbley]

KJ Jefferson was out there.He’s light years better than DJU.

 

[18IsTheMan]

KJ Jefferson was out there.He’s light years better than DJU.

Good point.

 

[Lurker123]

KJ Jefferson was out there.He’s light years better than DJU.

Kj ended up at UCF. Surely FSU could have outbid them?

 

[Greer]

DJU is the same QB he was at Clemson, not very accurate and limited ability to read a defense. He was rated as the #1 or 2 player in the country coming out of high school. I am not sure why but he seems to still be riding that hype. He brought down Clemson and he is now bringing down FSU.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Just read that he had a -0.1 yards of air/attempt going into halftime.

 

[muscleknight]

Dr. Pepper dropped him. We need more businesses to get burned by NIL busts. That will reign it in.

 

[Tngamecock]

They can blame the QB all they want, they got whipped at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. That simple.

 

[TheByrdman]

If anyone is being objective, DJ should not be the topic of conversation. Yes, he did miss a throw or two. However, he ran the plays as called by Norvell and bailed them out in the moment on the two fourth down passes on their last drive. The criticism at FSU should be on Norvell and the fact that GT mauled them on both lines of scrimmage.

 

[18IsTheMan]

If anyone is being objective, DJ should not be the topic of conversation. Yes, he did miss a throw or two. However, he ran the plays as called by Norvell and bailed them out in the moment on the two fourth down passes on their last drive. The criticism at FSU should be on Norvell and the fact that GT mauled them on both lines of scrimmage.

There is some merit to that. However, if Norvell is to be believed, DJ passed on some down field shots. Think his longest pass in the first half was 6 yards or something like that. Seems he was most comfortable keeping everything around the line of scrimmage. That explains his great completion percentage but very low yardage. Norvell indicated he wants DJ to make more explosive plays.

 

[Tngamecock]

If anyone is being objective, DJ should not be the topic of conversation. Yes, he did miss a throw or two. However, he ran the plays as called by Norvell and bailed them out in the moment on the two fourth down passes on their last drive. The criticism at FSU should be on Norvell and the fact that GT mauled them on both lines of scrimmage.

Bingo

 

[18IsTheMan]

This quote from Norvell sums up DJ’s career: “DJ did some really good things, but then obviously some things that we need to improve on.”

 

[TheByrdman]

There is some merit to that. However, if Norvell is to be believed, DJ passed on some down field shots. Think his longest pass in the first half was 6 yards or something like that. Seems he was most comfortable keeping everything around the line of scrimmage. That explains his great completion percentage but very low yardage. Norvell indicated he wants DJ to make more explosive plays.

You are correct in that he was not going down the field. It makes it real easy now to pile on DJ despite the fact that he protected the football and did not turn it over. Given the fact the line play was bad, was it such a bad thing to get the ball out and not have the negative yardage from sacks or other things that occur due to minus yardage events? Norvell needs to look at his play calling. There was very little creativity in it with only one receiver on most plays that was running a route with any potential chance of stretching the defense.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

I thought it was a very entertaining game.

 

[KingWard]

I don't understand why coaches after the ones at UPC have wasted their time, let alone risked the wellbeing of their programs, on DJU.

 

[The Reel Ess]

DJU is the same QB he was at Clemson, not very accurate and limited ability to read a defense. He was rated as the #1 or 2 player in the country coming out of high school. I am not sure why but he seems to still be riding that hype. He brought down Clemson and he is now bringing down FSU.

The ranking indicates potential, so I guess coaches think they can rehab him.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

The ranking indicates potential, so I guess coaches think they can rehab him.

For players to be developed, especially QBs, they have to have something between the ears.

 

[JoeMorrisonLives]

Apparently, the game plan reflected a lack of confidence in WRs getting open down field. It might take more than just DJU playing well to open up the offense.

 

[JoeMorrisonLives]

Dr. Pepper dropped him. We need more businesses to get burned by NIL busts. That will reign it in.

Ever Dr Pepper endorsement has fallen flat. Caleb Williams had a decent year, but way off of his pre-Dr. Pepper Heisman campaign.

 

[Lurker123]

Apparently, the game plan reflected a lack of confidence in WRs getting open down field. It might take more than just DJU playing well to open up the offense.

I wonder if the gameplan also reflected a lack of confidence in DJU. They've had him on campus for a while now. I bet they realize their mistake.

 

[18IsTheMan]

I wonder if the gameplan also reflected a lack of confidence in DJU. They've had him on campus for a while now. I bet they realize their mistake.

I mean, it would be one thing if this game were an outlier for DJU. However, it looked like a carbon copy of his time at Clemson. Maybe he'll shake it off and play great going forward, but at least for this game, he looked exactly like the QB he was at Clemson. Can't pin that on the play calling or WRs.

 

[Greer]

For players to be developed, especially QBs, they have to have something between the ears.

Totally agree with this and that this is the problem. He's like the hot chick who keeps getting dates even though she's crazy. Someone keeps coming along thinking they can fix her.

 

[JoeMorrisonLives]

I wonder if the gameplan also reflected a lack of confidence in DJU. They've had him on campus for a while now. I bet they realize their mistake.

I mean, I've heard several beat reporters say in the aftermath that didn't have confidence in the receivers getting open down field. OSU regularly asked more of him last year.

It's also exciting, because it means for all their complaining, they'd have to be better at multiple positions to be decent.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Totally agree with this and that this is the problem. He's like the hot chick who keeps getting dates even though she's crazy. Someone keeps coming along thinking they can fix her.

The move to Oregon State made sense for me. A bit of a step down from Clemson and seemed about on the level he needed to play. FSU picking him up made no sense at all for me. They went from a Heisman contender to DJU.

 

[18IsTheMan]

I mean, I've heard several beat reporters say in the aftermath that didn't have confidence in the receivers getting open down field. OSU regularly asked more of him last year.

It's also exciting, because it means for all their complaining, they'd have to be better at multiple positions to be decent.

Reactions from the FSU folks are mixed, to say the least:

What were your biggest takeaways from DJ Uiagalelei’s first game in Garnet and Gold?​

LastNoleOfKrypton: The offensive line was a disappointment; too many missed blocks and bad technique (inside-out Byers, inside-out) from such a senior-laden group; the other takeaway is that I’d rather have DJ throw three interceptions at least trying to throw the ball down the field than what I witnessed today.

Brian: It was the DJU we’ve seen at all of his other previous stops. He’s a good to decent college quarterback. He’s not bad. I see the memes, but he’s not bad. He’s just not Jordan Travis. That can still win games as long as the team around him makes plays.

Evenflow58: DJ would do well in a team that runs the ball well and uses him in the run game to keep the numbers in their favor. He needs to be able to hit the deep shots to keep defenses honest. It doesn’t seem like that was the game plan and it doesn’t seem like this FSU offense could accomplish those goals, at least for today.

Tim: Similar to his quarterback game plans in the past, Norvell calls the game conservatively. The result is DJ has to pass in obvious passing downs, which makes it easier for the defense. The verdict is still out in my opinion.

Perry: One of my biggest fears heading into the game, which I attributed to typical paranoia, was that we’d see a performance from Uiagalelei reminiscent of his much-hyped then much-mocked debut as a starter at Clemson. I’ll say labeling the performances as equivalent is a bit of an overreaction, since his showing vs. Georgia saw him throw an eventually game-losing pick-six, but my lizard brain still was going haywire as it became more and more apparent that, at least based off the way the game was approached from start to finish even when the run game struggled, the staff doesn’t trust either him or the receivers to efficiently execute a passing attack.

5 questions, 5 answers: Takeaways from FSU’s season-opening loss to Georgia Tech

Offense and defense both struggle in season opener

www.tomahawknation.com

Was it ALL on DJ? No. But it's hard to ignore the same issues he had at Clemson were the same things that happened in the Ga Tech game. For me, the biggest takeaway, which can't be argued, is that DJ isn't a championship-caliber QB, and that's FSU's goal (or at least was).

 

[The Reel Ess]

For players to be developed, especially QBs, they have to have something between the ears.

I recall a coach's son here who had all the tools, but couldn't hit air with the ball when it mattered most.

 

[JoeMorrisonLives]

Reactions from the FSU folks are mixed, to say the least:

What were your biggest takeaways from DJ Uiagalelei’s first game in Garnet and Gold?​

LastNoleOfKrypton: The offensive line was a disappointment; too many missed blocks and bad technique (inside-out Byers, inside-out) from such a senior-laden group; the other takeaway is that I’d rather have DJ throw three interceptions at least trying to throw the ball down the field than what I witnessed today.

Brian: It was the DJU we’ve seen at all of his other previous stops. He’s a good to decent college quarterback. He’s not bad. I see the memes, but he’s not bad. He’s just not Jordan Travis. That can still win games as long as the team around him makes plays.

Evenflow58: DJ would do well in a team that runs the ball well and uses him in the run game to keep the numbers in their favor. He needs to be able to hit the deep shots to keep defenses honest. It doesn’t seem like that was the game plan and it doesn’t seem like this FSU offense could accomplish those goals, at least for today.

Tim: Similar to his quarterback game plans in the past, Norvell calls the game conservatively. The result is DJ has to pass in obvious passing downs, which makes it easier for the defense. The verdict is still out in my opinion.

Perry: One of my biggest fears heading into the game, which I attributed to typical paranoia, was that we’d see a performance from Uiagalelei reminiscent of his much-hyped then much-mocked debut as a starter at Clemson. I’ll say labeling the performances as equivalent is a bit of an overreaction, since his showing vs. Georgia saw him throw an eventually game-losing pick-six, but my lizard brain still was going haywire as it became more and more apparent that, at least based off the way the game was approached from start to finish even when the run game struggled, the staff doesn’t trust either him or the receivers to efficiently execute a passing attack.

5 questions, 5 answers: Takeaways from FSU’s season-opening loss to Georgia Tech

Offense and defense both struggle in season opener

www.tomahawknation.com

Was it ALL on DJ? No. But it's hard to ignore the same issues he had at Clemson were the same things that happened in the Ga Tech game. For me, the biggest takeaway, which can't be argued, is that DJ isn't a championship-caliber QB, and that's FSU's goal (or at least was).

Oh, he's certainly not championship caliber, but neither was their OL, DL and receiving corps. And if you're not championship caliber at OL and DL, you're not championship caliber. I'm just making sure the blame goes everywhere it's supposed to, not just the easy target.

 

[KingWard]

Apparently, the game plan reflected a lack of confidence in WRs getting open down field. It might take more than just DJU playing well to open up the offense.

I'll say this, for whatever reason, their passing game lacked the historical dynamism of the better FSU teams. They've apparently taken at least one step backwards from last year, when they had a real stud at QB until he got hurt.

 

[Lurker123]

Oh, he's certainly not championship caliber, but neither was their OL, DL and receiving corps. And if you're not championship caliber at OL and DL, you're not championship caliber. I'm just making sure the blame goes everywhere it's supposed to, not just the easy target.

I think there's plenty of blame to spread around.

 

[PrestonyteParrot]

If anyone is being objective, DJ should not be the topic of conversation. Yes, he did miss a throw or two. However, he ran the plays as called by Norvell and bailed them out in the moment on the two fourth down passes on their last drive. The criticism at FSU should be on Norvell and the fact that GT mauled them on both lines of scrimmage.

Norvell brought DJ in and put him in the starting role. Major coaching decision failure.

 

[JoeMorrisonLives]

I'll say this, for whatever reason, their passing game lacked the historical dynamism of the better FSU teams. They've apparently taken at least one step backwards from last year, when they had a real stud at QB until he got hurt.

Travis was in the Heisman hunt. They also lost 3 OL, I think 2 receivers and 3 DL that were starters.

I gotta wonder what's up over there. They have so much local talent, Norvell is going into his 5th season, and they have so much money for recru err, I mean NIL. You gotta wonder why are they living and dying by transfers. They shouldn't need anything for the portal, they should just be going for some depth and one or two impact players. They shouldn't have to go for only seviceable players.

 

[92Pony]

Maybe Norvell should have taken him up in a plane above the 'Noles stadium and told him, "that's where you'll be throwing TD passes". That might have helped.

 

[Lurker123]

Travis was in the Heisman hunt. They also lost 3 OL, I think 2 receivers and 3 DL that were starters.

I gotta wonder what's up over there. They have so much local talent, Norvell is going into his 5th season, and they have so much money for recru err, I mean NIL. You gotta wonder why are they living and dying by transfers. They shouldn't need anything for the portal, they should just be going for some depth and one or two impact players. They shouldn't have to go for only seviceable players.

Agreed. We said this earlier with the qb. They are portal shopping where they could have brought in a guy in the last year or two in recruiting.

 

[TheByrdman]

Norvell brought DJ in and put him in the starting role. Major coaching decision failure.

Bringing DJ to FSU was a panic move based on the guys on their roster and what they showed in the last three games. He is not there if FSU made the playoff because on the guys on the roster would have been entrenched in the starting role.

 

[Lurker123]

Bringing DJ to FSU was a panic move based on the guys on their roster and what they showed in the last three games. He is not there if FSU made the playoff because on the guys on the roster would have been entrenched in the starting role.

Agreed. I also wonder why FSU seemed to settle on him, and not any number of qb's who transferred, or could have been tampered with.

 

[Greer]

Travis was in the Heisman hunt. They also lost 3 OL, I think 2 receivers and 3 DL that were starters.

I gotta wonder what's up over there. They have so much local talent, Norvell is going into his 5th season, and they have so much money for recru err, I mean NIL. You gotta wonder why are they living and dying by transfers. They shouldn't need anything for the portal, they should just be going for some depth and one or two impact players. They shouldn't have to go for only seviceable players.

I think Norvell is in over his head. That would explain a lot of why things are unfolding the way they are.