FSU QB DJ Uiagalelei Breaks Silence on NIL Accusations After Mike Norvell Forced Into Early Verdict Over QB Battle

Spring football is back in Tallahassee, and while it usually comes with a dash of optimism, for the Florida State Seminoles, it comes with a sense of unfinished business. After a disappointing 2-10 season, fans have questions; Specifically, about QB1. You see, Mike Norvell’s offense is undergoing yet another reset and is searching for the right answer under the center. While new faces were taking reps in camp, all eyes were briefly back on the man who was supposed to be the guy. It is DJ Uiagalelei. During his short stint, he threw for 1,065 passing yards, four touchdowns, and six interceptions. The program spent a good chunk of its rumored $12M NIL budget by bringing in the QB and other transfers.

Uiagalelei, who had NIL deals with The Battle’s End, Beats by Dre, Circle K, and Celsius, arrived in Tallahassee with high expectations, but the QB lasted just five games before a season-ending finger injury! He is a late hopeful at the NFL Drafts, but his production numbers might not impress scouts. He might be banking on his natural arm talent and size to convince an NFL team.

But when the whispers started about NIL being a factor in his decision to transfer from Oregon State to FSU, Uiagalelei was blunt in his response. As shared by ‘Footballville Nation’ on Instagram, he stated:

“I didn’t transfer for money. I transferred for respect.”

Unfortunately for Uiagalelei, his FSU tenure didn’t give fans much to remember; It’s more about what could’ve been than what actually was. His absence sent the Seminoles into a tailspin at the most important position on the field. Brock Glenn was thrust into action, tasked with steadying the ship. The results were shaky—597 passing yards, four touchdowns, five interceptions. Then came Luke Kromenhoek; Another attempt to plug the gap. He fared little better, throwing for just 502 yards, 3 TDs, and two picks before transferring out to Mississippi State. It was a season defined by inconsistency—a stark contrast to the stability FSU had under Jordan Travis just a year prior. For a program that expects to be in the playoff conversation, this kind of QB carousel wasn’t just frustrating—it was unacceptable.

Now, Norvell is once again trying to get the position right, and his latest hope comes in the form of Thomas Castellanos. The Boston College transfer has wasted no time making an impression in spring ball, offering a glimpse of what could be. Norvell, never one to hype a player too early, was measured but optimistic when discussing his new thrower’s early performances.

“I thought he had a good day. I mean, he hit a couple of vertical shots that were that were extremely well-placed. His athleticism, his presence within the pocket, and I thought he did a good job of delivering the football… I thought he was pretty clean today,” Norvell said earlier this week. It wasn’t a ringing endorsement, but for a coach who just endured a year of quarterback struggles, any sign of stability is a step in the right direction.

Top Comment by Itiswhatitis

Anything is better then having DJ over center. He did nothing at Clemson, had good numbers at Oregon State with...more

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No, that the coach has found some direction, he needs to decide whether Castellanos or Glenn emerges as the guy, but at least for now, there’s a sense that Florida State has options. The coach was happy with the competitiveness between the two QBs. “It’s a great dynamic and it’s one that is competitive. Both of those guys are great competitors, really been pleased….That’s a group I’m excited to see the competition just because of the personalities those guys have. They’re great young men, they care about who they’re getting to do it with but they are sparks,” Norvell said a week ago.

A QB wastes no time making an impression on Mike Norvell on day one

Thomas Castellanos is right at home in Gus Malzahn’s offensive system, and early reports say he’s running it to perfection. But on day one of camp, another quarterback stole the show—true freshman Kevin Sperry.

FSU head coach Mike Norvell had high praise for the entire QB room, but he made sure to single out Sperry’s sharp debut in 7-on-7 drills, a week ago. “I thought the quarterbacks did a nice job on our first day,” Norvell said. But then came the moment of the day…

“Kevin Sperry went out in his first 7-7 set, and I think he went four for four,” Norvell added. “It was impressive to see him hit the ground and going.”

Not a bad way to introduce yourself. Sperry signed with the Seminoles in December, flipping from Oklahoma to the Noles. He’s coming off a monster senior season, throwing for 2,500+ yards, rushing for 1,000+ yards, and accounting for 35 total touchdowns while leading his team on a deep postseason run. With a start like this, Sperry is adding his name to the QB1 mix. A much-needed sigh of relief for Norvell after DJ Uiagalelei’s horrors. What do you think?