After concluding a remarkable All-American career, Jordan Travis left behind a valuable parting gift for Florida State, contributing to the recruitment of DJ Uiagalelei, who committed to FSU on Monday. Uiagalelei revealed that a conversation with Travis played a pivotal role in his decision.
Uiagalelei had long been an admirer of Coach Mike Norvell and Florida State’s aggressive offensive strategies. Still, it was Travis who shed light on the program’s inner workings. In his own words, Uiagalelei shared, “He told me that Coach Norvell and [quarterbacks coach Tony] Tokarz are great coaches and coach you hard and will develop you. He also said that outside football, they really cared about him as a person.”
Travis relayed an impactful story about the coaches’ response to a three-game ACC losing streak in 2022, emphasizing their genuine concern for players beyond their roles as coaches. Uiagalelei valued this aspect, drawing parallels to his experience with Coach Jonathan Smith and Coach Brian Lindgren at Oregon State, stating, “Obviously they are about the right stuff.”
Uiagalelei’s commitment represents a significant addition for Florida State, which had been left with just one scholarship quarterback, Brock Glenn, for the recent Orange Bowl loss to Georgia.
Uiagalelei affirmed that FSU had always been his top priority since entering the transfer portal, having visited the school over two weeks ago and patiently waiting for the pieces to fall into place. Despite exploring the NFL option, Uiagalelei did not engage with other college programs.
“That’s where I wanted to go the whole time,” Uiagalelei affirmed. “I didn’t talk to many other programs. For the most part, I was locked in at Florida State. I appreciated them throughout the whole process. I wanted to be a Seminole. I wanted to be part of the program. I’m just blessed that Coach Norvell wanted to take me. I can’t wait to get there and get to work.”
Uiagalelei had visited Florida State in mid-December and stayed in communication with the school. Another noteworthy visitor was former Washington State quarterback Cam Ward, who declared for the NFL draft earlier on Monday. Uiagalelei is now positioned as the front-runner to start at FSU.
With 40 career starts, boasting a 30-10 record, 8,319 passing yards, and 57 touchdowns, Uiagalelei’s decision marks his return to the ACC. He began his college journey at Clemson as a highly touted recruit from Southern California, playing for the Tigers for three seasons before transferring to Oregon State last year. Notably, FSU is scheduled to face Clemson in 2024, setting the stage for a highly anticipated reunion.
Uiagalelei expressed his excitement about Florida State’s offensive style, which aligns with his strengths. He elaborated, “They push the ball down the field. They’re going to take deep shots. They have playmakers all around there. Coach Norvell does an unbelievable job scheming for opponents. He’s a guy that’s a smart football mind.”
Uiagalelei’s college journey has involved three stops, but he remains grateful for the valuable experiences along the way. He reflected, “For me, I didn’t think my college career was going to go this way, going to my third school. But it couldn’t have gone better for me as a person, to develop through adversity, through the good times and the low times. There’s so many lessons on the way.”
Uiagalelei showcased growth during his recent stint at Oregon State, displaying marked improvement under the guidance of Smith and Lindgren in 2023. He achieved a 57.1% completion rate, averaging a career-high 8.4 yards per attempt and throwing for a career-high 2,638 yards, leading Oregon State to an 8-4 regular-season record.
As he looks ahead, Uiagalelei is focused on being a team player, eager to join the brotherhood at FSU, work diligently, and make his mark. He emphasized his goals, saying, “I want to put my best foot forward, win an ACC championship, reach the College Football Playoff and ultimately win a national championship.”
While Uiagalelei’s next goal is the NFL draft, he is enthusiastic about the opportunity to work with Norvell and sees FSU’s aggressive offensive style as a perfect match for his skill set.
Florida State benefited from outstanding quarterback performance by Travis during the past season. However, Travis’s injury in mid-November marked the end of his college career, and it significantly impacted Florida State’s season, contributing to the program’s exclusion from the College Football Playoff. Notably, the Seminoles became the first power conference team to go undefeated, win its league title, and still not reach the CFP.
Since the playoff snub, two FSU backup quarterbacks, Tate Rodemaker and A.J. Duffy, have entered the transfer portal. Travis has exhausted his eligibility and is now headed to the NFL, leaving Glenn as the sole remaining scholarship quarterback on the team.
Uiagalelei has remained optimistic and positive throughout his journey, eager to continue growing and learning each day. He expressed his aspirations, stating, “I want to keep growing and learning and developing each and every day. I hope I can raise my draft stock and put myself in the best position for the future… My journey is still going. I’m still writing my own journey.”