Could a return to the ACC be in the cards for D.J. Uiagalelei?

Former Oregon State and Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei is one of the top quarterbacks in the NCAA Transfer Portal. As it turns out, Uiagalelei may not have to wait long to find a new home. News emerged on Tuesday that a couple of ACC programs could target Uiagalelei as their next quarterback.

ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel reported that two Atlantic Coastal Conference schools had emerged as top suitors.

“As for D.J. Uiagalelei, we could see a return to the ACC,” Thamel said. “Two schools that have emerged as his top suitors are Florida State and Louisville. He has no visits set. Mississippi State has also shown some interest, but DJU could be making a cross-country trip back to the Atlantic. He obviously started at Clemson and thrived last year at Oregon State. He has one more year of eligibility left and is one of the top quarterbacks available in this portal.”

Sources have told ESPN that Dillon Gabriel is expected to visit Oregon soon, and the Ducks are the favorite for his services. Riley Leonard ND visit starts tomorrow. And three suitors have emerged for DJU. QB portal update from CFB Live with ⁦@kelseyriggs⁩. pic.twitter.com/ocVJ5h0a2o

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 5, 2023

With Jordan Travis (Florida State) and Jack Plummer (Louisville) out of eligibility, a return to the ACC makes a lot of sense for Uiagalelei, who entered the portal a second time after his head coach at Oregon State, Jonathan Smith, left to take the head job at Michigan State. Interestingly enough, there have been no murmurs about Uiagalelei following his now-former head coach to East Lansing.

After arriving at Oregon State last year following years spent at Clemson, Uiagalelei will be on the move again. The signal-caller had an impressive season in Corvallis, but the Beavers’ season ended last week at the hands of rival Oregon. So now, D.J. gets a chance to explore his options again.

Uiagalelei has had a fascinating collegiate career. He stepped in at Clemson after Trevor Lawrence departed the university for the NFL. There was a lot of hype surrounding the former five-star quarterback amid unprecedented success at Clemson. However, performance issues lingered throughout his career in the ACC. That led to his exit at the end of last season, and he went up to Corvallis.

[Pete Thamel]