DJ Uiagalelei speaks about college football journey, arriving at Florida State

New Florida State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has had quite the college football journey, with his graduate transfer to Tallahassee representing the third stop of his collegiate career.

The former highly-touted high school recruit will now return to the conference where he started his college career at after spending three years at Clemson and one with Oregon State. And at his introductory press conference with the Seminoles, he revealed what he’s learned along the way.

“For me man I think my college experience is unique and I feel like it’s something unique that God’s given me in my journey,” Uiagalelei said. “There’s been ups, there’s been downs. But for me man it’s all been nothing but a blessing for me.”

Uiagalelei was a five-star prospect out of St. John Bosco High School in California, ranked the No. 2 quarterback in the nation for the 2020 class according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

As a true freshman at Clemson, he appeared in nine games and made two starts in place of Trevor Lawrence after Lawrence was ruled out after testing positive for COVID-19. Completing 66.7% of his passes for 914 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions while also rushing for four scores.

He assumed the role as Clemson’s starter in 2021, with the Tigers entering the season as the No. 3 ranked team in the nation. But unfortunately both Uiagalelei and the Tigers disappointed, throwing just nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions on the season with Clemson missing out on the ACC title game or the first time since 2014.

Uiagalelei remained as the Tigers’ starter in 2022 before eventually losing the job to Cade Klubnik, leading to him entering the transfer portal in December of 2022 and joining Oregon State.

“I think in this way of life and the way life is things aren’t perfect and I think God has a way of showing,” Uiagalelei explained. “For me man God’s timing is everything, sometimes timing isn’t how you want it. God’s timing isn’t something that maybe you want it to be, but it’s always the right timing. Everything in God’s timing works out in his favor and it’s worked out for me.”

Faith is clearly a big part of Uiagalelei’s life, as he celebrated breakout season in 2023 with the Beavers. Throwing for a career-high 2,638 yards along with 27 total touchdowns between the air and ground. But with one year of eligibility remaining and head coach Jonathan Smith departing for Michigan State, he decided to end the final chapter of his career with the Seminoles.

“There’s been a lot of lessons I’ve learned through college that have been good, been bad sometimes here and there. But it’s all shaped me into the person I am today and I’m blessed to be able to go after my journey here in college, and I’m excited about my new journey here at Florida State,” Uiagalelei concluded.

Uiagalelei’s journey has taken him to a lot of different places, and this fall it will take him to Dublin, Ireland. As the Seminoles open the season up at Aviva Stadium in a matchup across the pond against Georgia Tech on August 24.