The Florida State Seminoles finally got some good news. They have landed their starting quarterback for the 2024 season in DJ Uiagalelei.
What DJ Uiagalelei’s Transfer Means for FSU
The Seminoles had been active in the transfer portal, desperately trying to land one of the top QBs available. Finally official, FSU and HC Mike Norvell can start looking to the future. They have been linked with numerous QBs in the portal before the search appeared to narrow between Uiagalelei and Cameron Ward.
After failing to make the College Football Playoffs, FSU has been spiraling. It has been bad news, followed by more bad news recently in Tallahassee after being left out of the playoffs, including a stunning 63-3 loss to Georgia in the Orange Bowl.
There have been reports of the Noles looking to leave the ACC, as well as several key players, including Jordan Travis, RB Trey Benson, WRs Johnny Wilson, and Keon Coleman, declaring for the NFL Draft. Meanwhile, the College Football Network Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker shows as many as 19 players have entered the transfer portal. Including QB Tate Rodemaker.
Rodemaker played in nine games in 2023, starting one after becoming the starter when Jordan Travis suffered a serious, season-ending injury. With Rodemaker entering the portal and Travis having exhausted his college football eligibility, FSU had been left in purgatory entering the 2024 season.
Their hand was forced. Norvell had to pursue a top QB in the portal to give them a chance in 2024 and to provide a positive injection of energy.
Not prioritizing a QB in the portal would have left just Brock Glen, who will enter his sophomore season, and Luke Kromenhoek from the 2023 Early Signing Class as the only scholarship QBs. The pair would be alongside walk-ons Dyaln McNamara and Michael Grant on the QB depth chart. Both McNamara and Grant were freshmen themselves in 2023.
MORE: College Football Transfer Portal Tracker
With Uiagalelei coming in, Norvell and FSU have landed one of the top QB options in the transfer portal and a genuine starting QB heading into 2024.
The Seminoles had an outstanding 2023 season, winning the ACC and going undefeated. However, after their season ended in bitterness and disappointment, FSU will need to put that behind them in 2024.
Despite the great season, the Noles will be looking to rebound and prove people wrong, with Uiagalelei giving them a great opportunity to steady the narrative.
Singing Uiagalelei goes a long way to putting a positive spin on a difficult few weeks for the program. Landing one of the top quarterbacks available in the transfer portal is positive and motivating news for FSU.
Miss any action from the top college QB Rankings during the 2023 football season? Want to track all the movement with the college football’s transfer portal? College Football Network has you covered with that and more!