Published Jan 1, 2024
Oregon State QB DJ Uiagalelei back to ACC, picks FSU
Jacey Zembal  •  Rivals Transfer Portal
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DJ Uiagalelei is heading back to the ACC.

The former Clemson and Oregon State quarterback told ESPN on Monday that he’ll play his final season of college football at Florida State in 2024. Uiagalelei transferred from Oregon State after playing one season with the Beavers. He was at Clemson for three seasons before he went to Corvallis, Ore.

The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder was the No. 3 overall player in the class of 2020 by Rivals.com, coming out of Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco High. He was the No. 1 pro-style quarterback in the country.

Uiagalelei was thrown into the fire against Notre Dame and Boston College in 2020, combining to throw for 781 yards and four touchdowns, plus two rushing scores. He took over Clemson in 2021 and 2022 to mixed results.

The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder was the No. 3 overall player in the class of 2020 by Rivals.com, coming out of Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco High. He was the No. 1 pro-style quarterback in the country.

Uiagalelei was thrown into the fire against Notre Dame and Boston College in 2020, combining to throw for 781 yards and four touchdowns, plus two rushing scores. He took over Clemson in 2021 and 2022 to mixed results.

Uiagalelei threw for 2,246 yards, nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions, and rushed for 308 yards and four scores in 2021. He faltered at the end of 2022, getting replaced by Cade Klubnik. Uiagalelei improved to completing 62.1 percent of his passes for 2,521 yards, 22 scores and seven interceptions, and he rushed for 545 yards and seven scores for the Tigers, who won the ACC title.

A fresh start led to Oregon State and coach Jonathan Smith. Uiagalelei threw for over 250 yards in three games this past season, throwing for a season-best 275 yards and five scores in a 52-40n win over California on Oct. 7. He finished going 180-of-315 passing for 2,638 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions, plus 68 carries for 219 yards and six scores.

With the Pac-12 falling apart and Smith taking the Michigan State job, Uiagalelei needed a new home. He picked Florida State, which has freshman Brock Glenn returning.