Cole Cubelic Questions Quarterback Of College Football Playoff Contender

There are several high-profile quarterback transfers that hold a ton pressure to perform during the 2024 college football season.

WIll Howard at Ohio State and Dillon Gabriel represent the No. 2 and No. 3 teams in the preseason coaches poll as released by USA TODAY Sports on Monday. That pair has received plenty of evaluation as the Buckeyes and Ducks eye a postseason run.

A player in a similar situation that has flown under the radar nationally is Florida State's DJ Uiagalelei. The former five-star prospect spent three seasons at Clemson before transferring to Oregon State for the 2023 season. He racked up 2,638 passing yards with 21 touchdowns to seven interceptions and led the Beavers to an 8-5 season (fourth in Pac 12).

The Seminoles had a glaring need at quarterback with Jordan Travis moving on to the NFL's New York Jets. When Travis went down with a season-ending leg injury last season, junior Tate Rodemaker and freshman Brock Glenn had their chance to prove their worth to succeed Travis in 2024.

FSU's offense struggled mightily during that time and ultimately led to a College Football Playoff snub despite an undefeated record and ACC Championship crown. Rodemaker ended up transferring to Southern Miss following the season.

Enter Uiagalelei, an experienced starter who has 48 games under his belt as a collegiate singal-caller. He also adds some unique knowledge of playing within the ACC and the challenge that comes along with playing at the conference's top venues.

But according to ESPN's Cole Cubelic, people are overlooking Uiagalelei's track record of falling below expectations during his lengthy career.

“I don’t think DJ Uiagalelei is not a good quarterback. I just don’t think he’s a great quarterback," Cubelic said on 'McElory And Cubelic In The Morning' . "And I don’t see him as a guy that can put a team on his back and say, ‘I’ll get us to 10 wins by God. That’s gonna happen’. I don’t see that.”

The Seminoles were decimated by the transfer portal and the NFL draft this offseason, but that isn't a new challenge for Mike Norvell, who has become known for his success in adding key transfers on a yearly basis.

The question will be creating cohesiveness with a largely new roster and, most importantly, a new quarterback. FSU accomplished one half of that puzzle last year, but had the added benefit of returning experience and talent under center with Travis.

Uiagalelei and the Seminoles will have the opportunity to squash any concerns on the field. The season will kick off against Georgia Tech on Aug. 24 at the 2024 Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland.

Related: Top SEC Program Loses Former 4-Star Tight End Before 2024 Season