Despite ‘up and down’ showcase, DJ Uiagalelei excited about improvement at FSU

The numbers weren’t great.

And, in fact, he himself said he wasn’t great after the fact.

But overall, transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei seemed pleased with how he played on Saturday in Florida State’s annual Seminole Showcase, and moreover how he played throughout spring practice as he continues to get comfortable in Mike Norvell’s offense.

“Today, I think was up and down,” the former Oregon State and Clemson QB said after Saturday’s showcase. “I thought there was some good, I thought there was some bad. It wasn’t obviously the cleanest day. I think there’s obviously stuff I did good today, stuff I can learn from.

“But overall throughout the whole spring, I thought I did a good job to keep progressing day in and day out. For me, man, I just try look at it and get better each and every day, learn from what I did right, from what I’ve done wrong. And the biggest thing for me is to try to get comfortable with the offense, the players, the scheme and the camaraderie.”

As the month of spring practices progressed, it was obvious Uiagalelei was gaining comfort and confidence. He seemed to improve with each practice, and Norvell said after the second scrimmage of the spring that it was his best day.

Uiagalelei followed that up with more sharp practices over the final two weeks.

Clearly though, Saturday inside Doak Campbell Stadium wasn’t his best day.

He finished unofficially 14-of-29 for 175 yards. He had no touchdown passes, but no interceptions either. Although there were three that could have potentially been picked off.

Turnovers have never been a huge issue in college for the former five-star recruit. He comes into this, his fifth season, having thrown 24 interceptions in 1,165 passing attempts over four years. Last season at Oregon State, Uiagalelei threw just seven in 315 pass attempts, while throwing for 2,638 yards and 21 touchdowns.

He has proven to be pretty safe with the football. And overall, he has proven to be a pretty good college quarterback.

Now, he is the presumed starter at Florida State. It’s his last year in college. In a new offense. And with a head coach who seems to really be encouraged by what he saw this spring.

DJ Uiagalelei warms up ahead of the Florida State Spring Showcase. (Ben Spicer/Warchant)

“I love coaching the young man,” Norvell said. “The talent, the ability, the playmaking skills that he has, the willingness to learn, work, what he’s pouring into his teammates … I think he really embraces that. And he’s had a very good spring. As we go each day, there are certain things we’re trying to almost force, some challenging looks, some challenging situations. Because even on some of the bad plays that show up, the growth and the opportunity for him to get better and how he’s responded in those situations is remarkable.

“So, really excited about where he’s going and just what’s there in front of him. So, it’s just the continued reps, the continued study, but he’s taken some great strides here throughout the course of the spring.”

So much so that Norvell has used the word “remarkable” multiple times in describing Uiagalelei’s play and ability.

As for the quarterback himself, he knows he’ll be better than he was on Saturday. He knows he’s going to help Florida State win football games. Perhaps a lot of football games.

And he really does expect to be better than he’s ever been, with the guidance of Norvell and quarterbacks coach Tony Tokarz.

“I’ve played a lot of football,” Uiagalelei said, “but I feel like my best years are ahead of me. I wanted to come to Florida State. I wanted to learn. To be able to get pushed. To get the best out of me. I feel like Coach Norvell and Coach Tokarz have done that, and they’re going to continue to keep doing that. For me, they push me, they challenge me each and every day to be able to be my best each and every day.

“So, for me, I’m excited for the next journey coming up in the summer and then going toward the season.”

Talk about this story with other die-hard Florida State football fans on the Tribal Council.

The post Despite ‘up and down’ showcase, DJ Uiagalelei excited about improvement at FSU appeared first on On3.