DJ Uiagalelei believes playing for Florida State fans will be a surreal moment

DJ Uiagalelei is heading back to the ACC to play for the Florida State Seminoles during the 2024 season. His focus is set for Aug. 24’s season opener against Georgia Tech in Dublin — although he can’t help but to look forward to Sept. 2’s home opener against Boston College.

The former Clemson and Oregon State quarterback joined On3’s Andy Staples on Wednesday to discuss what he’s looking forward to the most when it comes to playing on Bobby Bowden Field in front of the Florida State faithful inside Doak S. Campbell Stadium.

“I think it is going to be a surreal moment,” Uiagalelei told Staples. “For me growing up, I know about Florida State. I know about the rich tradition that this program has, the legacy that these players play with and the fans have for Florida State. So for me, man, it’s something I want to be able to live up towards and just be able to be someone who puts the hard hat on and work for each and every single day and puts their best foot forward.

“But it’s gonna be amazing man. When I played here with Clemson in 2022, the stadium was rocking. The tomahawk chop — it was amazing. Even though [Clemson] won it was just it was just amazing. This was the coolest place I’ve played in college.”

During that game, Uiagalelei completed 15 of 23 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns as he led the Tigers to a 34-28 victory over the Seminoles. Jordan Travis was 24 of 42 for 254 yards and two touchdowns as the ‘Noles comeback fell short after scoring 14 unanswered in the fourth quarter.

Now, Florida State obtains the services one-time adversary in the hopes of winning a second consecutive ACC title.

Of course, Uiagalelei is coming off a season in which he threw for a career-high 2,638 yards and 21 touchdowns, with seven interceptions during his lone season at Oregon State. He also ran for 219 yards and six scores. During his four-year college career, Uiagalelei has logged 8,319 passing yards, 57 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. He has run for 1,132 yards and 21 scores.

Now, he immediately bolsters a Florida State quarterback room that was tasked with replacing star Jordan Travis. Uiagalelei not only has the resume and stats that are needed to start at a program like FSU — but he has proven that he has the confidence and leadership abilities to back it up as well.