Former Five-Star QB DJ Uiagalelei Signs with Chargers as UDFA
Saturday evening marked the end of the 2025 NFL Draft for the Los Angeles Chargers with Memphis cornerback Kobee Minor earning the title of Mr. Irrelevant, but the action didn’t stop there. As teams scrambled to lock in undrafted free agents, one name stood out among the crowd — D.J. Uiagalelei. Once the No. 2 overall recruit in the nation behind Bryce Young, Uiagalelei’s path has been anything but linear. Now, the former Clemson, Oregon State and Florida State quarterback heads to the NFL as a Los Angeles Charger, and although he wasn’t drafted, his introduction adds a fascinating wrinkle to one of the league’s most intriguing quarterback depth charts.
An Opportunity with the Chargers
The Chargers inked Uiagalelei as part of a large UDFA class that totaled 17, but none of which carried the same type of notoriety or history. It was a long way from the millions that once were projected for him as a potential future first-round draft choice, but Uiagalelei was only given a $3,000 signing bonus, according to Aaron Wilson. Still, the opportunity in Los Angeles is big. With Justin Herbert now entrenched as the starter and veterans Taylor Heinicke and Trey Lance serving as his backups, the Chargers did not draft a quarterback at all. That leaves the door, at least ajar, open for Uiagalelei to enter if he can impress new head coach Jim Harbaugh and the coaches.
It won’t be easy, but there is something to be said for being the only rookie quarterback the team signed. The Chargers have seen the unpredictability of depth behind Herbert, and while Lance still has upside, he hasn’t worked out elsewhere. For Uiagalelei, it’s not as much about beating ‘the others’ for the Chargers QB2 spot as it is showing he belongs — that he still has the skills to be more than a college bust. Given the right situation and the right mindset, guys like him can carve out a niche in the league.
A Rollercoaster College Career
Few college quarterbacks have ever come into the spotlight with as much fanfare as Uiagalelei. After Trevor Lawrence’s success at Clemson, expectations were high. He showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in his initial game versus Notre Dame in 2020, but never came close to consistency. During three years at Clemson, he was 22-6 as a starter, with 5,681 passing yards and 36 touchdowns. He also added 15 rushing touchdowns, which highlighted the dual-threat ability that made him so desirable in high school.
However, accuracy problems, decision-making and fit within the offense led to his departure. A 2023 transfer to Oregon State reignited his career briefly — he set career highs in yardage and touchdowns in that season — but a 2024 transfer to Florida State was a letdown. The rollercoaster trajectory of his career, including two roster moves and constant questions regarding how he would mature, ultimately cast him out of draft consideration. Yet, his raw talent and physical attributes never failed to intrigue.
Quarterback to Taysom Hill 2.0?
Although Uiagalelei will likely show up to Chargers camp as a quarterback, rumors are that he may wind up playing elsewhere. NFL insider Albert Breer recently posited that Uiagalelei transition to tight end — a novel but not unheard of move. At 6’4″ and 229 pounds, he certainly has the physicality to hold up in that capacity. And while he’s no burner, his athletic history may suit him in a Taysom Hill-like hybrid role — part QB, part TE, part X-factor.
Uiagalelei himself hasn’t commented on such a breakthrough, but his versatility might just be his greatest asset in carving out a spot on the roster. He already has glimpses as a runner, and even boasts a catch on his collegiate stat line. If he will take a utility role, then the Chargers have discovered an interesting chess piece. Regardless of whether he becomes a change-of-pace quarterback, short-yardage expert, or special teams specialist, his destiny could lie beyond the traditional QB paradigm.
Final Thoughts
Uiagalelei’s NFL career is just beginning but is already shaping up to be a compelling one. After having been touted as a can’t-miss prospect, he is now fighting from the ground up to justify himself. Whether he’s under center or not, he has an opportunity — and that’s something more than most are given. The Chargers made a gamble for certain, but with the right tweaking and the right mindset, it just might pan out.
