FSU transfers quarterback DJ Uiagalelei with Jordan Travis’ assistance.
Jordan Travis gave a parting gift to Florida State following his All-American season.
DJ Uiagalelei informed ESPN that his choice to commit to FSU was heavily influenced by his meeting with Travis on Monday.
Uiagalelei declared that he has long admired Florida State’s aggressive offensive strategies as well as coach Mike Norvell. However, Travis gave him further information about the scheme.
“He told me that Coach Norvell and [quarterbacks coach Tony] Tokarz are great coaches and they will work hard to develop you,” Uiagalelei stated over the phone on Monday. “He also said that outside football, they really cared about him as a person.”
According to Uiagalelei, Travis told a tale regarding the coaches’ reactions following an ACC losing run of three games in 2022. They said, ‘How are you doing as a person?'” Travis said to Uiagalelei. They said, ‘I’m here for you as a friend as well as a coach.’ Coaches [Jonathan Smith] and [Brian] Lindgren at Oregon State possessed that, which is something I admire. It’s obvious that they are about the right things.”
With Uiagalelei’s pledge, Florida State has strengthened its quarterback position, which was limited to Brock Glenn on scholarship for Saturday’s Orange Bowl defeat to Georgia.
According to Uiagalelei, who spoke with ESPN, FSU has been his top target ever since he first entered the portal. He had been there almost two weeks ago and had been waiting patiently for everything to fall into place. Although Uiagalelei claimed he didn’t make any more college trips, he had been considering the NFL.
Uiagalelei declared, “That’s where I wanted to go the entire time.” “I spoke with very few other programs. I was cooped up at Florida State for the most part. I was grateful to them the entire time. Being a Seminole was my dream. I desired to participate in the program. It’s a blessing that Coach Norvell desired to include me. I’m eager to go there and start working.”
Uiagalelei has maintained communication with Florida State after his visit there in mid-December. Cam Ward, a former quarterback for Washington State who announced his entry for the NFL draft earlier on Monday, had also paid a visit. Uiagalelei will be the overwhelming favorite to start when he arrives at FSU.
With a 30-10 record in 40 career starts, he has thrown for 8,319 yards and 57 touchdowns. With this choice, he will rejoin the ACC, where he started his Clemson career as a highly anticipated recruit from Southern California. Before moving to Oregon State last year, he spent three seasons as a player with the Tigers. In 2024, FSU will welcome Clemson, which will undoubtedly be a much reported reunion.
Uiagalelei remarked, “Florida State’s offense plays to my strengths.” The ball is pushed down the field by them. They intend to shoot long shots. There are playmakers everywhere you look. Coach Norvell is a great opponent strategist. He is a man with a keen understanding of football.”
Uiagalelei, the No. 1 pocket passing quarterback in the Class of 2020 and the No. 43 overall prospect in ESPN’s rankings, will be making his third collegiate trip. Even though his route hasn’t been straightforward, Uiagalelei emphasized on Monday how appreciative he is of his trip.
He admitted, “I didn’t imagine my time in college would proceed in this manner, attending my third university. But going through hardship, both good and bad, has allowed me to grow as a person, and it couldn’t have gone better. There are a ton of lessons to learn.
“As a player and a person, I’ve grown significantly. For my part, I felt appreciative of all the blessings and opportunities God has bestowed upon me. There are countless blessings, wonderful people, and amazing players. I have learned so many wonderful things from football.”
Uiagalelei demonstrated growth under Smith and Lindgren in 2023, and he demonstrated progress during his most recent stint at Oregon State. 57.1% of his throws were completed, and he averaged a career-high 8.4 yards per attempt. Along with leading Oregon State to an 8-4 regular-season record—a stretch that included victories over Utah, UCLA, and Colorado—he also passed for a career-high 2,638 yards.
“I want to be another guy, be a teammate,” he stated. “I’ll put on my hard hat, head to work, and blend in among the guys. I’d like to go there, compete, and give it my all. My goals are to perform to the best of my abilities, win an ACC title, advance to the College Football Playoffs, and eventually triumph in the national championship.”
Uiagalelei’s next objective is still to get into the NFL draft, and he’s eager to see how training with Norvell may help him do that. He claimed that his skill set and FSU’s offensive aggressiveness mesh perfectly.
Travis had a fantastic season for FSU as their quarterback, however his collegiate career came to an end on November 18 due to an injury. It also cast doubt on Florida State’s season because Travis’s absence was a major factor in the team’s historic College Football Playoff exclusion. The Seminoles made history by being the first team from a power conference to win their league, go undefeated, and miss the playoffs.
Tate Rodemaker and A.J. Duffy, two FSU backup quarterbacks, have accessed the transfer portal since the rejection. Glenn is the team’s last scholarship quarterback left after Travis became eligible to play in the NFL.
Uiagalelei claimed that despite all of the turns in his voyage, he has remained cheerful and optimistic.
“I want to keep growing and learning and developing each and every day,” he stated. “My goal is to improve my draft stock and position myself for success in the future. I’m still on this road. I’m still penning my personal narrative.
thru Taboola
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