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The Florida State Seminoles find themselves in a world of trouble with Week 3 of the college football season quickly approaching. After going a perfect 13-0 leading up to last year’s Orange Bowl, the ‘Noles have dropped each of their last three games.
Losses to Georgia Tech and Boston College in 2024 have all but eliminated FSU from ACC Championship contention, and many around Tallahassee are calling for a change.
DJ Uiagalelei has struggled in his first two starts with the Seminoles after transferring in from Oregon State. Decision making and an inability to connect with open receivers has plagued the offense to this point.
Uiagalelei is completing less than 60% of his throws, and many of those that do make it to the receiver have gone for short yardage. His most recent matchup vs. the Eagles was his worst in garnet and gold.
@lunchroomdebates DJ Uiagalelei had a HORRENDOUS first half vs Boston College 😬 ~ #djuiagalelei #dju #floridastate #fsu #collegefootball #cfb ♬ original sound – Lunchroom Debates
The veteran was 21-for-42, with a touchdown and a pick.
That performance led many in Doak Campbell Stadium to call for backup Brock Glenn in the second half. Glenn wouldn’t see action last week, but Uiagalelei’s leash has to be getting shorter.
Unfortunately, it’s not the first time we’ve seen this with DJ Uiagalelei.
He struggled in his first stint in the ACC as a member of the Clemson Tigers.
Highly recruited, the five-star passer shined in a reserve role as a freshman. When he was handed the keys to the offense as a sophomore, though, things quickly went downhill.
In 2021, he was a 55% passer with nine TDs and 10 interceptions. Things improved at the start of his ’22 season, but he faded down the stretch.
Over his last six appearances in a Clemson uniform, he threw five scores and five picks. His regular season ended with a 99-yard performance in a loss to rival South Carolina. He was then yanked in the first quarter of the ACC Championship before opting to transfer.
Now with his third school, Uiagalelei is in danger of losing another starting job.
Uiagalelei’s dad, Dave, broke his silence as fans lobby for QB2.
Dave Uiagalelei is one of the more vocal parents of a college star you’ll see. In the past, he’s defended his son amid criticism, maybe overstepping boundaries in some of those instances.
But after a loss to Boston College, he remained unexpectedly silent.
There was nothing said about DJ Uiagalelei’s subpar performance, even as fans called for his replacement.
On Wednesday, he emphatically broke that silence with a response to one of his followers.
…They will never say anything to our face.
Respectfully, everyone is entitled to their opinion, good or bad, and I give y’all that. But I’m still a father first, and it’s tough but it’s what we signed up for. It comes with the territory.
But you know me… I’m with the business so we not worried about anything like that. It’s always respect first, then get [dealt] with accordingly.
-Dave Uiagalelei / X: @DUaigalelei
The online attacks of his son won’t cease should his play continue as it has over the first two games. That’s an unfortunate consequence of being in the spotlight, which Big Dave noted.
The Seminoles are set to take on Memphis in Game 3. We’ll see if Uiagalelei can turn things around.