Florida State lands DJ Uiagalelei: Oregon State transfer becomes instant favorite to replace NFL-bound QB Jordan Travis after Seminoles narrowly missed 2023 College Football Playoff

Former Oregon State Beavers quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has committed to transferring to Florida State instead of declaring for the NFL.

'That's where I wanted to go all the time,' Uiagalelei told ESPN. “I haven't talked to many other programs. For the most part, I was cooped up in the state of Florida.

“I appreciated them throughout the entire process. I wanted to be a Seminole. I wanted to be part of the program. I'm just blessed to have that coach [Mike] Norvell wanted to take me. I can't wait to get there and get started.”

Uiagalelei will now enter the offseason as the favorite to replace former starter Jordan Travis, whose college career ended after an injury in November.

Travis' injury played a major role in the College Football Playoff committee dropping Florida State to fifth place and out of a playoff spot this year.

Uiagalelei is expected to replace Jordan Travis as the starter in coach Mike Norvell's offense

Florida State became the first power five team to go undefeated and win their conference tournament, but not make the CFP as a result of the decision.

The Seminoles then suffered a record-breaking 63-3 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs in the Orange Bowl after several star players decided to opt out of the game.

“Florida State's offense plays to my strengths,” Uiagalelei said of why he wanted to join the Seminoles. “They push the ball down the field. They're going to take deep shots.

'They have playmakers everywhere there. Coach Norvell does an incredible job for his opponents. He is a man with a smart football mind.'

In addition to being on the cusp of an offense he believes he will thrive in, Uiagalelei also has a history of playing in the ACC after spending the first three seasons of his college career with the Clemson Tigers.

“For me, I didn't think my college career would go this way,” Uiagalelei said, “going to my third school. But it couldn't have gone better for me as a person to develop despite setbacks, both in good and bad times. There are so many lessons along the way.

'I have developed enormously as a person and as a player. For me, I was grateful for every opportunity God has given me and blessed me with. There are so many blessings, so many great people and players. So many great lessons that football has taught me.'

Over his career, the Southern California native has thrown for 8,319 yards, 57 touchdowns and 24 interceptions while compiling a 30-10 record as a starter.

Uiagalelei started his college career by spending several years with the Clemson Tigers

During his lone season at Oregon State, he recorded career-highs with 2,638 yards and an average of 8.4 yards per passing attempt.

Uiagalelei will look to play himself into a strong position in next year's NFL Draft class and may also have the fallback option to change career paths in an attempt to make an MLB roster.

Last year, the Los Angeles Dodgers drafted Uiagalelei in the 20th round of the MLB Draft even though he hadn't played baseball since high school.

He chose to turn down the opportunity for a baseball career at the time and continue preparing for the Beavers season.