'This is where I want to be:' DJ Uiagalelei on why Florida State was right fit

DJ Uiagalelei never anticipated entering the transfer portal for a second time.

When he left Clemson and eventually landed at Oregon State last offseason, he thought he would close out his college football career with the Beavers. Playing on the West Coast – he grew up in Southern California – and fulfilling his childhood dream of playing in the Pac-12 was all he could ask for.

“Like for me, man, that was my funnest year of playing football,” he told On3 on Tuesday night, reflecting on this past season.

But with the Pac-12 ceasing to exist in its current form and Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith leaving for the Michigan State job in November, the former five-star quarterback prospect knew he needed to enter the transfer portal. He admitted midway through this past season he realized he wanted to come back for a final season, to help his NFL stock and finish out his career.

So Uiagalelei entered the portal in late November. On Monday afternoon, he officially committed to Florida State. The quarterback visited Tallahassee in mid-December, meeting head coach Mike Norvell and offensive coordinator Alex Atkins in person. Even though he had to wait out a decision from Washington State transfer Cam Ward, who ultimately chose the NFL draft, Uiagalelei said he always knew he wanted to be at Florida State.

“For me, this is where I want to be,” he said. “I was talking to other schools and stuff like that, but for the most part, I was 100% locked in on Florida State. Knew when I put my name in the portal they reached out to me, that’s where I want to be. I feel like this is the best fit; I prayed about it, and I was just letting God handle it for me. Definitely felt like that’s where he wanted me to be it, so I’m glad it worked out.”

Jordan Travis plays role in FSU commitment

The nation’s No. 2 quarterback recruit in the 2020 recruiting class, DJU’s recorded 40 career starts with a 30-10 record. Uiagalelei turned heads as a true freshman at Clemson, stepping in for Trevor Lawrence in 2020 and throwing for 439 yards and two passing touchdowns in his second career start under the lights in South Bend against Notre Dame.

He struggled in his two seasons as a starter with the Tigers, looking uncomfortable in the offense. But making the jump to Oregon State, the 6-foot-4, 252-pound quarterback meshed with head coach Jonathan Smith’s offensive scheme, throwing for over 2,638 yards this season and leading Oregon State to an 8-4 record.

The decision to return to the East Coast was nearly a no-brainer. But Florida State had a little help along the way, too. Uiagalelei told On3 that outgoing quarterback Jordan Travis reached out to him before he went on his official visit. A transfer from Louisville, Travis was on the ground floor of the program’s rebuild with Norvell. That insight made a difference in Uiagalelei’s decision.

“He reached out to me, asked me, ‘Hey, man, if you need to know anything about Florida State before your visit, let me know.’ So, I gave him a phone call a day before,” Uiagalelei said. “I just asked Coach Norvell and just the culture there at Florida State. Man, he had nothing but great things to say about him.

“That was good to hear because, at the end of the day, you can see for yourself, but it’s nothing better than hearing it from a player that’s playing there and that’s been there for a long time.”

DJ Uiagalelei ready to win, boost NFL draft stock

Uiagalelei joins a quarterback room in need of a leader with experience. He’s played four seasons in multiple schemes, touting 40 career starts with a 30-10 record. Backups Tate Rodemaker and A.J. Duffy have each entered the transfer portal. Brock Glenn was the lone scholarship quarterback on the roster for the Orange Bowl. The Seminoles are set to add four-star 2024 signee Luke Kromenhoek.

Returning for another season is a chance to work on his game before reaching the NFL, too. As Uiagalelei emphasized on the phone, “You only get one shot at the NFL.” Evolving his knowledge of the game of football and improving his completion percentage are two areas he sees himself focusing on.

Playing for an ACC title and helping Florida State reach the 12-team College Football Playoff are goals. He will be the projected starter entering the 2024 season. Neither are priorities at the moment.

“I have one more step here at Florida State, one last year, man,” he said. “I just want to be able to go in there and work my tail off, be another player. Don’t want to be any star player, I just want to be another number on the team and just be another player. Just come in and compete.”

Returning to the ACC also means a shot to play Clemson. Florida State is scheduled to host the Tigers in ACC play this season.

DJ Uiagalelei isn’t quite ready to weigh in.

“Excited to come back to the ACC,” he said with a laugh.