FSU football: 6 reasons DJ Uiagalelei could silence critics in 2024

Sneaky Dual Threat

DJ Uiagalelei is 6'4 and 240 pounds, and folks seem to have forgotten he can run the ball. He's not Jordan Travis with the escapability trait, but he moves well enough to pick up yardage and is nearly unstoppable in short-yardage situations. He was Clemson's second-leading rusher in 2022, with 142 carries for 545 yards and seven touchdowns. The Clemson total is nearly identical to Jordan Travis' highest season rushing total in 2020 (559 yards). Uiagalelei didn't run as much in 2023 but still had 65 carries for 219 yards and six touchdowns. I suspect he'll run more than 65 times in 2024, which is a facet of the offense opposing teams didn't have to account for with Jordan Travis last season.

Uiagalelei will pull it on the zone read, which should open all options in the run and passing game. He's particularly dangerous in the red zone. Clemson scored red zone touchdowns 72.58 percent of the time in 2022 and saw that percentage fall to 56.6 percent in 2023 after he left. Oregon State scored red zone touchdowns 78.57 percent of the with DJ Uiagalelei at QB in 2023. FSU only scored red zone touchdowns 60 percent of the time in 2023(again account for Jordan Travis getting hurt skewing this some). College offenses that score touchdowns instead of kicking field goals win a lot of games.