NFL Draft declarations, exhausted eligibility, and the transfer portal ravaged Florida State’s starting lineup, including at the sport’s most important position. Of the three QBs that threw passes for the Seminoles last year, only one returns: redshirt freshman Brock Glenn. The New York Jets selected starter Jordan Travis in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, backup Tate Rodemaker is now at Southern Miss.
Enter DJ Uiagalelei.
Mike Norvell Impressed by DJ Uiagalalei
After beginning his career as a five-star recruit at Clemson and starting two seasons, he left Death Valley to run an offense better tailored to his skill set at Oregon State. The result was a career-best 2,638-yard, 21-TD campaign and a spot on Florida State’s roster.
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Florida State head coach Mike Norvell heaped praise on his new QB at ACC Media Days, saying, “DJ’s coming in, and it’s something I’m really excited about because he has that experience; he’s been able to live it, much like Jordan (Travis); he’s had the highs, and he’s had the lows.
“He’s had to continue to grow throughout this process, and he’s led with his humility at Florida State. he’s been an incredible young man in that locker room, working to prove himself in how he’s investing in others.”
“I mean, you can go out and watch practice and see the arm talent, see his size, his athletic ability, all the things he brings to help push an offense. But it’s what he has in his chest. It’s the relationships he’s building. I think he’s earning respect on a daily basis, not just with what he can do, but who he is just as much.”
DJU was also supposed to attend the event in Charlotte, North Carolina, but he decided to give his teammates some time in the spotlight instead.
“It was something that he presented to me, that he was requested by the ACC to attend Media Days,” Norvell said. “But he said, ‘Coach, with all due respect, I’d love for this to be an opportunity for my teammates to show the country who they are and what they’re all about; those guys are all-conference performers as well that have been through this program and they’ve been able to push this program to where it is now.’”
Travis helped lead the ‘Noles to an undefeated season in his final year. While it’s unlikely Uiagalelei will do the same, he could achieve something his predecessor wasn’t able to: a spot in the College Football Playoff.
With the field expanded to 12 teams, it will be a lot more difficult for the committee to shaft FSU from the dance.
KEEP READING: Mike Norvell Praises DJ Uiagalalei’s leadership
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