DJ Uiagalelei's Eligibility: How Many Years Are Left?
DJ Uiagalelei's Eligibility: How Many Years Are Left?
By Jason Bolton August 15, 2024 10:17
One of the biggest high school quarterbacks hailing from California, DJ Uiagalelei, has made plenty of splash headlines in college football since his recruitment. He played his freshman season at Clemson University and could play as a dual-threat quarterback. DJ, who was at Clemson from 2020-22, passed for a combined 5,681 yards and added in 36 touchdowns as opposed to those of the interception variety with just shy against him. He had several stand-out games throughout, helping to secure his reputation as one of the top prospects in college basketball by leading Missouri over several highly ranked teams.
Uiagalelei would transfer to Oregon State University in early 2023 and continued his success, throwing for another 2,638 yards with an additional 219 rushing and a total of twenty-one touchdowns. In the 2024 season, he is slated to play his final year at Florida State University. This is a further opportunity for him to manifest what he can do in the subsequent season.
Outlook For the Next 2 Years in the NCAA
NCAA Eligibility Rules
To fully grasp DJ Uiagalelei's eligibility, we need a primer on the NCAA rules regarding student-athlete participation. Under NCAA rules, student-athletes have up to five years to complete four seasons of competition, often called the "five-year clock."
Eligibility Status Hinging on Several Factors:
Initial Enrollment: Uiagalelei via Clemson in 2020; Five-Year Clock Started
Waiver policy: The NCAA has approved a one-time waiver that allows student-athletes transferring through the 2019-20 academic year to be immediately eligible without a sit-out penalty if they meet all other transfer requirements. DJ did this for his transfer from Clemson to Oregon State before making the jump to Florida State.
Redshirt Status: A player may be granted a redshirt year if they do not play in the season and will be added to their eligibility list for another year. Uiagalelei, on the other hand, has not redshirted in college yet.
Current Eligibility Status
He has one year of eligibility left for 2024 with Florida State. That's because he already played three seasons at Clemson and at Oregon State, and does not have a redshirt season to burn. He is eligible based on his academic status and meeting all other NCAA requirements.
Things That Will Hold DJ Uiagalelei From Future Seasons
Academic Standing
The NCAA established a threshold of academic requirements to be eligible for competition as a student-athlete. These include a minimum GPA, specific credit hours, etc. Uiagalelei will need to hit a certain academic benchmark to become eligible for the season and beyond.
Transfer Regulations
NCAA transfer rules have changed, and the Transfer Portal has become part of that process. Here, an athlete can announce his or her decision to leave a school and seek additional opportunities at another institution. Fortunately, Uiagalelei has successfully managed this process and is in a place where his career will not be significantly affected. Those transfers must still follow NCAA guidelines when entering the Transfer Portal during certain open windows.
Redshirt Considerations
The same thing goes for Uiagalelei, who has not redshirted yet but could as a transfer in the future should he miss one season due to injury or whatever else. That could push back his eligibility and, if he takes a redshirt season, allow him to play beyond 2024.
Future Season Projections
Potential Scenarios
A Winning Season: Gainful at Florida State, DJ can build some depth to his football resume and perhaps help NFL decision-makers feel good about projecting him to the pros. A big season could see him declare for the NFL Draft following his 2024 campaign, ending his ability to play in college football.
Injury or Setbacks: Other adverse circumstances, including injuries, could cause him to redshirt and project his college season extended through 2025 with upcoming new rules surrounding the league.
Additional Transfers: If Uiagalelei were to transfer a second time, he would be subject to NCAA eligibility requirements and may have restrictions based on the situation leading up to that transfer.
As DJ Uiagalelei gears up for the 2024 season at Florida State University, his eligibility status is key to his college football career unfolding. He has one year of eligibility left, so how he plays this season and where else he can take him will largely determine the trajectory. As he embarks on this new chapter, his future and the ramifications on the teams he plays for will all be under a microscope. College football is taking a new shape and has allowed players, such asDJ, to change their future not only on the field but off it.
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