DJ Uiagalelei had one of the most confusing and disappointing careers in college football history. The former Clemson, Oregon State and Florida State quarterback never quite lived up to expectations at any of his three stops.
His father continues to blame the coaching staff for his son’s failures.
‘Big Dave’ Uiagalelei, as he is known, pointed fingers at Mike Norvell and the Seminoles after the rookie signal-caller orchestrated a touchdown drive during the NFL preseason. His up-and-down (mostly down) college football career is no fault of his own.
DJ Uiagalelei never reached his full potential.
As a five-star prospect in the recruiting Class of 2020, Uiagalelei ranked as the No. 2 player in the country behind only Bryce Young, ahead of guys like Will Anderson, Kelee Ringo, Jalen Carter, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Bijan Robinson and C.J. Stroud. The hype could not get much greater.
It looked like he was going to live up to the billing at first!
Uiagalelei made his first college start against Boston College. He went 31-of-40 for 342 yards and two touchdowns during an epic 18-point comeback win in the second half.
Uiagalelei also started against undefeated Notre Dame in South Bend the following week. The Tigers lost by seven in overtime. Their five-star freshman quarterback went 29-of-44 for 439 yards and two touchdowns.
That was the pinnacle of D.J. Uiagalelei’s college career.
He got benched in favor of Cade Klubnick during the ACC Championship in 2022, spent one year at Oregon State and one year at Florida State. His last year with the Tigers was perhaps his best season.
- 2020, Clemson —
- Record: 1-1
- Stats: 78-117, 914 yards, five touchdowns
- 2021, Clemson —
- Record: 10-3
- Stats: 208-374, 2,246 yards, nine touchdowns, 10 interceptions
- 2022, Clemson —
- Record: 11-2
- Stats: 229-369, 2,521 yards, 22 touchdowns, seven interceptions
- 2023, Oregon State —
- Record: 8-4
- Stats: 180-315, 2,638 yards, 21 touchdowns, seven interceptions
- 2024, Florida State —
- Record: 1-4
- Stats: 84-156, 1,065 yards, four touchdowns, six interceptions
Regardless of the numbers, D.J. Uiagalelei struggled to get the job done. He often threw ill-timed interceptions, fumbled, or simply missed his guy.
His five years at three schools were not the success he or the fanbases had hoped.
Who is to blame?!
No matter how much his eldest son struggled, the Uiagalelei family patriarch refused to point a finger at him. Rather, it is always the fault of somebody else — except for one rare occasion.
Big Dave threatened to fight a Florida fan who insulted DJ on social media prior to last season, ripped Florida State’s coaching staff in August, and previously tore into Dabo Swinney for his approach to the transfer portal. Those are just a few of many examples.
The latest occurrence relates to the Hall of Fame Game.
One NFL drive does not change the past.
DJ Uiagalelei completed two of three pass attempts for 25 yards during the fourth quarter of the first NFL preseason game of the year with the Chargers. Los Angeles ultimately scored on the drive.
Even though it was the smallest of sample sizes, against a fourth- or even fifth-string defense, Big Dave used his son’s performance as an excuse to blame the Seminoles for his struggles in 2024. To be fair, it was in response to somebody else— but still.
Big Dave Uiagalelei also reposted the following thoughts:
“Big Dave, regardless of what my fellow FSU fans say, I wish DJ had a better season. He was prime to break out, but poor play calling doomed him. I wish DJ well, and hope he can catch on to an NFL team, and show case his talent,” said @BigPeterbilt16.
“I don’t get how people can hate on DJ. His career didn’t go to the expectations of fans and he got attacked. He always seemed to act humble. If he acted like a Manziel and didn’t pan out then I could understand a bit of it. I’ll always cheer his success,” posted @DukDDukDubsDOWN.
A repost is an endorsement. Big Dave agrees.
It was not DJ Uiagalelei’s fault that his college football career was a bust…