DJ Uiagalelei going to Florida State wasn’t just because he liked the school, it was because of former Seminoles quarterback Jordan Travis, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Thamel said that in a phone conversation with Uiagalelei, the quarterback said about Travis: “He told me that Coach Norvell and (quarterbacks coach Tony) Tokarz are great coaches and coach you hard and will develop you.”
Uiagalelei played at Oregon State this season and threw for 2,638 yards and 21 touchdowns. He visited Florida State soon after entering the transfer portal on Nov. 30.
Before running the show for the Beavers, Uiagalelei played three seasons at Clemson. He followed Trevor Lawrence and was supposed to be the next great Clemson QB. He threw for 5,681 yards, 36 touchdowns and 17 interceptions with the Tigers.
With both teams, he has run for 1,132 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Uiagalelei could take over as Florida State starting QB next season
Uiagalelei was somewhat disappointing at Clemson, well, disappointing by Clemson’s recent standards with three losses in his sophomore and junior seasons, so he decided to transfer to Oregon State. He went 8-4 at Oregon State this season.
His overall passing yardage improved, as did his yards per pass running the Beavers’ offense.
At Florida State, Uiagalelei will battle Brock Glenn for the starting quarterback position, which is open because Travis broke his leg against North Alabama on Nov. 18 and opted to go to the NFL next season.
Glenn started in the Seminoles’ big loss to Georgia in the Orange Bowl and was overwhelmed by the Bulldogs’ defense. Glenn was 9 of 26 for 139 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions.