Mike Norvell: DJ Uiagalelei has been 'remarkable' in Florida State camp
Florida State has its next star quarterback. On Tuesday, Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell raved about transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei‘s showings during the team’s offseason camp.
“DJ has been remarkable,” Norvell said. “I really love the ownership he has in the offense. He’s been very consistent in what he’s doing. And, obviously, the explosiveness that he brings is impressive.”
Uiagalelei transferred to Florida State this offseason after spending the 2023 campaign at Oregon State. In his lone season with the Beavers, Uiagalelei tallied 2,638 passing yards and 21 touchdowns while only throwing seven interceptions.
Uiagalelei’s arm wasn’t his only threat. He also racked up 219 yards and six touchdowns via the ground game. For his efforts, Uiagalelei was named a 2023 Davey O’Brien Award semifinalist.
Uiagalelei began his collegiate career at Clemson, where he spent three seasons and amassed 36 appearances, including 28 starts. Uiagalelei has massive shoes to fill. He will succeed quarterback Jordan Travis, who led Florida State to a perfect 12-0 regular season record last season.
Florida State’s QB room is more than DJ Uiagalelei
Travis suffered a season-ending injury in Florida State’s Week 12 win over North Alabama. With injuries always a possibility, Norvell emphasized the Seminoles’ quarterback room has more talent than just Uiagalelei.
“They’re doing a great job,” Norvell said of his QB unit. “Just the confidence they’re building — they put in a lot of work. [Quarterbacks coach Tony] Tokarz does a great job of helping put them in a good position.
“Yesterday is probably one of the best days that [Brock Glenn] has had. You see him. He made a couple of good throws today. I got to go back and watch all of them to see just overall assessment. But, these guys, they’re definitely growing up and [doing] what we’re asking them to do and excited about.”
Although Norvell knows it’s important to have a complete quarterback room, he can’t help himself from getting excited about Uiagalelei’s potential.
“You see the confidence in the rhythm, the timing. You can see those relationships continuing to grow with all the different skill players, just even in how he’s communicating, the confidence and understanding of what we’re asking him to do. So he’s done an incredible job,” Norvell said.
“You see his body – carrying his bodyweight as good as I’ve seen him. And his movements and just the conditioning aspect of all of it. He’s really done a great job of leading by example and excited to see him take the field.”