DJ Uiagalelei has high expectations for 2024. The veteran quarterback will replace the retired Jordan Travis at the Florida State Seminoles and hopes to keep the team relevant in the race for the College Football Playoffs.
Unfortunately, the former Clemson and Oregon State quarterback didn’t get off to a great start in Week 0 against Georgia Tech. Uiagalelei completed 12 of 14 passes in the first half, but only gained 96 yards. He averaged minus 0.1 air yards per attempt, and the Seminoles’ offense struggled to get going in the first half as a result.
— College Football Without Context (@nocontextcfb) 24 August 2024
Naturally, college football fans flocked to social media to discuss the quarterback’s performance. Check out some of the best reactions below.
DJU if the play is not a screen or jet sweep pic.twitter.com/7LBR6C7fDT
— Did my ex text me today? (@velvetmilkman0) 24 August 2024
FSU is afraid to let DJU throw
— Florida Recruiting (@FLRecruits) 24 August 2024
“DJU shoots forward” pic.twitter.com/81VrA44xkj
– Adam (@adamdropsbombs) 24 August 2024
I challenge YOU, DJU, to drop back and attempt a pass longer than 8 yards!
— jxke. (@cantguardjake) 24 August 2024
DJU could end the year with an average of negative air yards per attempt.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) 24 August 2024
It’s still early, but DJ U is performing the way literally everyone except FSU fans expected him to.
— Jordan⁂ (@Jordan__3210) 24 August 2024
DJU has figured out how to effectively do NOTHING and blame everyone else when the offense can’t score.
Have fun with him, FSU.
Welcome to the DJU experience.
— Terrence Oglesby (@T_Oglesby22) 24 August 2024
DJU, if he has to pass over 5 yards pic.twitter.com/uirjSZgETK
— NMD Grant (@NMDgrant) 24 August 2024
DJ U’s air yards per attempt will be 0.72
— Ty Hildenbrandt (@tyhildenbrandt) 24 August 2024
Last year, Uiagalelei was successful at Oregon State. The QB finished the 2023 season with 2,638 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. He was effective throwing the ball deep and worked well in play-action passing. Oregon State had a strong running back to pull things off. Damien Martinez finished third in the Pac-12 with 1,185 rushing yards.
Florida State had 78 rushing yards in the first half against Georgia Tech, but only one carry (on the opening drive) that was more than 10 yards.
It will be interesting to see if the QB can do anything in the second half. At halftime, the Seminoles were tied with the Yellow Jackets at 14 points. The Noles’ two best receivers at this point are running backs Roydell Williams and Lawrance Toafili.
