As the clock ticks down to Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline for NFL teams to finalize their 53-man rosters, the Los Angeles Chargers have made a surprising move: they are parting ways with rookie quarterback DJ Uiagalelei.
That news was first reported by CBS’s Matt Zenitz on Tuesday afternoon.
Once heralded as a blue-chip recruit from St. John Bosco in California, Uiagalelei’s journey has been anything but smooth. This offseason and preseason saw him shine with two touchdowns and 244 passing yards, but it wasn’t enough to secure a roster spot.
Ranked as the No. 2 overall prospect in his class and the top pro-style quarterback by 247Sports composite, Uiagalelei initially committed to Clemson with high expectations of leading the Tigers on their quest for national glory. However, despite amassing impressive stats—5,681 yards, 36 touchdowns and 17 INTs over three seasons—he struggled to find consistency on the field. Under his leadership, Clemson missed out on two CFP appearances before he ultimately decided to transfer.
His final two years were spent at Oregon State and Florida State. With the Noles, he was the starter for most of the 2024 season as they finished the year with a 2-10 record.
Despite these ups and downs, the Chargers took a chance on him this offseason. However, he’ll now be looking for a new home if he plans to continue his NFL career.
Lee Ann joins the Saturday Down South team, bringing over fifteen years of experience covering the SEC as both a sports journalist and football scout. With her keen eye for talent, she has also flexes her skills as the Director of Recruiting for the Rebel Walk( Ole Miss) Herring, is a staff writer at USA Today Sports Wildcats Wire, where she dives into the thrilling world of Kentucky football and basketball. When fall rolls around, you can catch her on air as an analyst for the Wake up 502 College Football Show on Big X Sports Radio 96.1 FM—because who doesn't love a good game day chat? A proud Brown University alum, Lee Ann balances her time between the sidelines and press box with her passion for coaching her boys' youth lacrosse and savoring a fine glass of bourbon alongside a good cigar. So, whether she's dissecting plays or rallying the next generation of athletes, Lee Ann is your spirited insider ready to tackle all things SEC!
