Report: Florida State Among Two Teams Considered As 'Early Contenders' For Transfer Quarterback

Should the Seminoles pursue a quarterback in the transfer portal?

There are only a few days remaining until Transfer Portal season begins across the country with the 30-day winter window set to open on Monday, December 4. Ahead of the period, athletes across the country have been publically declaring their intentions to explore options elsewhere.

Florida State has feasted in the portal during the first couple of years of Mike Norvell's tenure with the program. The Seminoles brought in 48 transfers over the last four recruiting cycles, implementing a way to get the team back on track with an influx of experienced talent alongside a crop of developing younger players.

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With that being said, FSU is expected to lean more heavily on the high school ranks this go-around. Holding steady with the No. 3 recruiting class and 23 verbal commitments, the Seminoles will be much more selective, likely only allocating four to seven spots for transfers.

On Thursday, Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei entered the portal as a graduate transfer after his former head coach departed for the job at Michigan State. Shortly after the news was announced, On3's Pete Nakos reported that Florida State and Oregon were considered as 'early contenders' for the transfer signal-caller. Uiagalelei is also exploring the possibility of declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.

This is an interesting development as Uiagalelei fits Florida State's timeline if the program decides to look at options outside of Tate Rodemaker, who will be a redshirt senior next season. With true freshman Brock Glenn and incoming five-star prospect Luke Kromenhoek waiting in the wings, Uiagalelei could be a potential bridge option as the two younger quarterbacks continue to develop.

Uiagalelei is obviously a player whom the Seminoles are quite familiar with after facing him twice while he was at Clemson. He guided the Tigers to victories over FSU in 2021 and 2022, compiling a total of 392 passing yards with four touchdowns and one interception while completing 62.9% of his passes. Uiagelelei also rushed for one score.

Despite his success in Death Valley, the former five-star chose to transfer to Oregon State following the 2022 season. The move ended up working out as Uiagalelei totaled a career-high 2,638 passing yards and 8.7 yards per attempt despite attempting fewer passes than in his two years when he started for the Tigers. 

The 6-foot-4, 251-pound quarterback tossed 21 touchdowns to seven interceptions while completing 57.1% of his passes. He also rushed for six touchdowns during his lone season with the Beavers.

If the Seminoles are going to pursue or at least kick the tires on a transfer quarterback, Uiagalelei checks off all of the boxes of what they're looking for. At the same time, is it worth potentially rocking the boat during these next couple of crucial weeks as Florida State competes for an ACC Championship and College Football Playoff bid?

Some other interesting options have hopped into the portal recently, including Washington State's Cam Ward, Kansas State's Will Howard, and Duke's Riley Leonard.

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