Before NFL training camps get underway in late July, ESPN’s NFL Nation reporters highlighted the biggest surprise players on each team, or “under-the-radar players who turned heads this spring while battling for starting spots or depth roles.”
Former Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei was named as the biggest surprise player for the Los Angeles Chargers.
After going unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft, Uiagalelei signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Chargers in April 2025.
Uiagalelei was waived in late August of last year as part of final roster cuts, but re-signed with the Chargers’ practice squad the next day. Then, this past January, he signed a reserve/future contract with the team.
As part of the Chargers’ 90-man roster in the offseason, Uiagalelei participated in OTAs and minicamp, and it sounds as though he opened eyes with his offseason performance.
“With Justin Herbert throwing little this offseason while focusing on footwork and mechanics, Uiagalelei has taken advantage of his reps,” ESPN’s Kris Rhim wrote.
“The former undrafted free agent has been one of the Chargers’ most impressive players, thriving on intermediate and deep throws. If that carries into training camp, Uiagalelei could challenge Trey Lance for the backup job.”
Uiagalelei spent three years at Clemson from 2020-22 before transferring to play at Oregon State in 2023.
The former five-star prospect from California then transferred to Florida State for the 2024 season, but was unable to suit up against Clemson that October due to a broken finger on his throwing hand that he suffered against SMU the previous week. He missed the remainder of the season due to the injury.
Uiagalelei started 13 games for the Tigers as a junior in 2022, when he had an up-and-down campaign and ultimately lost the starting QB job to Cade Klubnik in the ACC Championship Game before transferring to Oregon State.
Uiagalelei completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 5,681 yards with 36 touchdowns and 17 interceptions over 36 games (28 starts) for the Tigers from 2020-22, while also rushing for 913 yards and 15 touchdowns on 275 career carries. He went 22-6 as a starter for the Tigers.
For Oregon State in 2023, Uiagalelei completed 57.1 percent of his passes for 2,638 yards and 21 touchdowns with seven interceptions across 12 games. For FSU the following season, he completed 53.8 percent of his passes for 1,065 yards and four touchdowns with six interceptions in five games.
In his five-year college career, the 6-foot-4, 252-pounder posted a 58.5 completion percentage and 9,384 passing yards with 61 touchdown passes and 30 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,124 yards and 21 scores on 380 career carries.
Uiagalelei did not appear in any games for the Chargers last season. He spent the entirety of his rookie campaign on the Chargers’ practice squad and was elevated to the active roster for the team’s Week 18 game against the Denver Broncos to back up Trey Lance, but Uiagalelei didn’t get into the contest.
