Mike Norvell describes how DJ Uiagalelei quickly earned the respect of everyone around him at FSU

The Jordan Travis era at Florida State has come to an end after playing in 46 games for the Seminoles in his career and securing program records for total touchdowns, total offense, quarterback rushing yards, and quarterback rushing touchdowns. Leaving big shoes behind for transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei as he takes over the reins of the offense.

But despite being with the Seminoles for around six months, FSU’s new signal caller earned the respect of his teammates and coaches relatively quickly. Which head coach Mike Norvell discussed Monday at ACC Media Days.

“You see his humility to work, his humility to come be a part of it. It’s never been about him coming into this program and it’s something I think he’s earned the respect his teammates,” Norvell said. “Because he’s jumped in from day one and it’s just always been about the work and it’s been about the investment to build those relationships.”

“And to show that even this is a new language and for the last three years had three new languages he’s had to learn, but you see that what he’s willing to pour in to be able to understand that and then to be able to also help those that are around them. It’s really, really impressive.”

Uiagalelei spent the first three years of his college career at Clemson followed by one season at Oregon State where he had one of the best years of his career. Joining the Seminoles with 8,319 passing yards and 78 total touchdowns between the air and grown. Bringing a unique size and skillset to the table that’s involved him learning a new offense and the Florida State staff learning what he does best as well.

“I think it’s both, and really for us to get a better sense of who he is and some of the things — you can sit there and watch film and you can see a result of the play, but it’s also the process of how you get to the result,” Norvell explained. “And for him, I want this to be the best year of his life and to take everything that he’s gone through, to be able to come together with this team, the individuals that are around it, what we’re asking them to do as a coaching staff and for him to go out there and to be able to execute at the highest of levels.”

Uiagalelei has always been a quarterback oozing with potential since his days as a five-star high school prospect out of St. John Bosco. And it will surely be interesting to see he can reach new heights with a new and talented team in the final season of his college career.