DJ Uiagalelei

Uiaglelei with theClemson Tigers
Florida State Seminoles – No. 4
Position	Quarterback
Class	Senior
Major	Communications
Personal information
Born:	(2001-04-17)April 17, 2001 (age 23) Riverside, California, U.S.
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight	252 lb (114 kg)
Career history
College	Clemson (2020–2022) Oregon State (2023) Florida State (2024)
Bowl games	2021 Cheez-It Bowl
High school	St. John Bosco (Bellflower, California)
Career highlights and awards
Polynesian High School Football Player of the Year (2019)
Stats atESPN

David John Uiagalelei^[1] (/uiˌʌŋɡələˈleɪ/oo-ee-UNG-gə-lə-LAY; born April 17, 2001^[2]) is an Americancollege footballquarterback for theFlorida State Seminoles. He previously played for theClemson Tigers from 2020–2022 and theOregon State Beavers in 2023.

Uiagalelei, who is ofSamoan descent,^[3][4] attendedSt. John Bosco High School inBellflower, California.^[5][6] As a junior in 2018, he was theUSA Today High School Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for 3,366 yards and 48 touchdowns.^[7] As a senior, he passed for 4,225 yards and 48 touchdowns.^[8] Uiagalelei also played baseball in high school.^[9]

A five-star recruit, Uiagalelei committed toClemson University to play college football on May 5, 2019. He signed with them on December 18, 2019, and enrolled at Clemson on January 8, 2020.^[10][11]

College recruiting information

Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
DJ Uiagalelei QB	Bellflower, California	St. John Bosco High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	245 lb (111 kg)	May 5, 2019
	Star ratings:Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Overall recruiting rankings:
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "2020 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

Uiagalelei started his first game for Clemson on October 31, 2020, againstBoston College. He replacedTrevor Lawrence, who was ruled out after testing positive forCOVID-19.^[12] Uiagalelei completed 31 passes on 40 attempts for 342 yards and 2 touchdowns in leading Clemson to a comeback victory after being down by 18 points in the first half.^[13] He started a second game in place of Lawrence the following week on November 7, 2020, against undefeatedNotre Dame; Clemson lost to the Irish in an overtime thriller, 47-40, despite another impressive performance by Uiagalelei, who completed 29 of 44 passes for 439 yards and 2 touchdowns.^[14][15]

In 2021, afterTrevor Lawrence left for theNFL, Uiagalelei became Clemson's starting quarterback. He came into the season with much hype. The Tigers were ranked #3 in the nation in the preseason poll. He signed a deal withDr. Pepper andBojangles to appear in their commercials throughout the season. Clemson's first challenge of the season would come against the then #5Georgia Bulldogs. Uiagalelei played poorly, going 19-for-37 on pass attempts, threw for 178 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception. The game's only touchdown came from a pick six thrown by Uiagalelei. Clemson ultimately lost the opener, 10–3.

After being benched in favor of five star freshmanCade Klubnik during the2022 ACC Championship Game, Uiagalelei announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on December 4, 2022.^[16][17]

On December 24, 2022, Uiagalelei announced that he would be transferring toOregon State University of thePac-12 Conference.^[18] On July 11, 2023, Uiagalelei was drafted by theLos Angeles Dodgers in the 20th round, with the 610th overall selection, of the2023 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign.^[19]

On August 22, 2023, Oregon State named Uiagalelei the starting quarterback overBen Gulbranson andAidan Chiles.^[20] After the2023 regular season, it was announced on November 30 that Uiagalelei would again enter the transfer portal, following head coachJonathan Smith's decision to leave OSU forMichigan State.^[21]

On January 1, 2024, Uiagalelei announced that he would be transferring toFlorida State University for his final year of eligibility.^[22] In a game againstSMU, Uiagalelei injured his hand and was ruled out for an extended period of time.^[23] In 5 starts for the team, he totaled 1,065 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions with 84 completions on 156 attempts.

On December 16, 2024, Uiagalelei declared for the2025 NFL draft.^[24]

• 2xACC Champion (2020, 2022)
• Cheeze-It Bowl Champion (2021)
• Pac-12 Week 6 Offensive Player of the Week (2023)
• ACC Week 4 Quarterback of the Week (2022)
• 2xACC Rookie of the Week (2020 Week 8 and Week 9)

Uiagalelei is aChristian.^[25] He attended regular Bible study while at Clemson and wears wristbands with Bible verses on them includingJeremiah 33:3,Philippians 4:13,Ephesians 6:10, andRomans 12:2.^[26][27]

Uiagalelei has a younger brother,Matayo, who playsdefensive end for theOregon Ducks.^[28]

Uiagalelei was drafted by theLos Angeles Dodgers ofMajor League Baseball in the 20th round of the2023 MLB Draft, but did not sign.^[29]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toDJ Uiagalelei.

• Clemson Tigers bio
• Oregon State Beavers bio
• Florida State Seminoles bio
• DJ Uiagalelei atIMDb

• 2001 births
• Living people
• American football quarterbacks
• American sportspeople of Samoan descent
• Clemson Tigers football players
• Florida State Seminoles football players
• Players of American football from Riverside, California
• Oregon State Beavers football players
• St. John Bosco High School alumni
• Pacific Islander American players of American football

• CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list
• CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list
• Articles with short description
• Short description matches Wikidata
• Use mdy dates from April 2020
• Commons category link from Wikidata