Arizona EDGE Ta'Ita'i Uiagalelei enters NCAA transfer portal

Arizona EDGE Ta’Ita’i Uiagalelei, the cousin of Florida State QB DJ Uiagalelei, entered the NCAA transfer portal, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.

As a member of the Class of 2022, Taitai Uiagalelei was a three-star recruit out of Santa (Calif.) Mater Dei, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 110 overall prospect in the state, the No. 97 EDGE in the class and the No. 1,473 overall prospect in the class.

Over the course of three seasons with Arizona, Uiagalelei had 66 total tackles, 4.5 sacks and one pass deflection. He set a career high 33 tackles this past season.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.

DJ Uiagalelei struggles in lone season with Florida State

The veteran quarterback certainly took his lumps at FSU this season. In five games, DJ Uiagalelei threw for 1,065 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions.

Because of the injury, Uiagalelei could attempt to secure a medical redshirt and return to college football for his sixth season, per On3’s Pete Nakos back in October. That would’ve meant sitting out for the rest of the season. The other option is working to get back on the field and entering the NFL draft.

The Florida State quarterback could attempt to secure a medical redshirt waiver. An athlete “may be granted an additional year of competition by the conference or the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for reasons of ‘hardship,’” according to the NCAA manual.

If Uiagalelei goes this route, it’s unknown if he will return to Florida State for another season or enter the transfer portal for a third time. Because the NCAA altered its transfer rules, the quarterback could enter the portal and play for a new school in 2025-26 without securing a waiver.