Former Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei transferring back to the ACC

Former Clemson football quarterback DJ Uiagalelei is coming back to the ACC.

Uiagalelei, who was the Tigers’ starter for two seasons before transferring to Oregon State last winter, told ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Monday that he’d committed to Florida State for his final year of college eligibility after a recent visit to Tallahassee.

That puts him on a collision course with his former school and Cade Klubnik, the quarterback who supplanted him as starter. Although the date and time for the game is to be determined, Clemson is scheduled to play at Florida State in 2024.

So, barring injury, buckle down for a game rich on storylines: Uiagalelei vs. Klubnik, Uiagalelei vs. Clemson, Uiagalelei vs. a team whose offensive scheme he criticized after the fact as “basic” in an interview with The Athletic that went viral this spring.

Uiagalelei transferred from Clemson to Oregon State last offseason after playing three seasons with the Tigers and coach Dabo Swinney and losing the starting job to Cade Klubnik late in the 2022 season. He led the Beavers to an 8-4 record in 2023 and had 2,638 passing yards and 21 touchdowns against seven interceptions.

Uiagalelei also ranked No. 12 nationally in quarterback rating (80.8).

Oregon State lost its coach, Jonathan Smith, to Michigan State after the season, prompting Uiagalelei to enter the portal for a second straight year. He also considered entering the 2024 NFL Draft, per reports.

Heading into selection day, Clemson had been widely projected to play Oregon State in the Dec. 27 Holiday Bowl in San Diego. But a potential meeting with Uiagalelei fizzled out after he entered the portal and Clemson ultimately winding up in the Dec. 29 Gator Bowl vs. Kentucky.

Uiagalelei, a former five-star recruit from the Los Angeles area, could be in line to start immediately at FSU. The Seminoles’ longtime starter, Jordan Travis, ran out of eligibility. Travis played brilliantly in 2023 and had Florida State in position for a College Football Playoff berth.

But Travis suffered a season-ending injury late in the regular season and the Seminoles, despite winning the ACC championship and going 13-0, were left out of the four-team field.