DJ Uiagalelei Declines ACC Kickoff Invite, Wants Spotlight on 2023 FSU Players

Florida State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei said he turned down an invite to represent the Seminoles at the 2024 ACC Kickoff event, citing a desire for the 2023 team to be represented.

Uiagalelei transferred to Florida State from Oregon State during the offseason.

Uiagalelei transferred to Florida State from Oregon State during the offseason. Florida State will be Uiagalelei's third school overall after he began his career at Clemson.

Uiagalelei struggled with his consistency over his three-year career at Clemson before turning things around last season at Oregon State. He threw for a career-high 2,638 yards and 21 touchdowns against seven interceptions while adding 219 yards and six scores as a runner. ESPN's QBR metric ranked Uiagalelei as the No. 12 quarterback in the country.

Florida State enters the 2024 season expected to compete for a national championship after being left out of the College Football Playoff following the season-ending injury to quarterback Jordan Travis. The Seminoles, who were one of only three undefeated teams in the regular season, were trounced 63-3 in the Orange Bowl by Georgia.

While Uiagalelei's stance is admirable, Florida State does not have a bevy of high-profile players returning who could take his place. The Seminoles had 10 players selected in the 2024 NFL draft, highlighted by Travis, running back Trey Benson and wide receiver Keon Coleman on the offensive side. Defensive end Jared Verse and defensive tackle Braden Fiske led the defensive selections.

The ACC has not announced any players who are participating in the four-day event, which gets underway July 22. Florida State joins SMU and Georgia Tech among the teams participating on the first day.