Seminole Sunday Sauce — Jan. 7, 2024: FSU Football Adds Three Transfers
It hasn’t been 2024 for very long, but Florida State football has wasted little time addressing needs through the transfer portal.
The headline of the week was the addition of former Clemson and Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. For the Beavers this past season, the 6-foot-4, 250-pound signal caller finished with 2,638 yards passing, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Uiagalelei added 219 yards rushing and six more touchdowns.
A highly touted prospect out of high school, Uiagalelei has had somewhat of an up-and-down career, but has accounted for 78 career touchdowns. His 14.7 yards per completion average this season ranked eighth in the country.
On Saturday, FSU added a pair of transfers from the SEC — former LSU wide receiver Jalen Brown and former Alabama defensive back Earl Little Jr. A top-70 prospect out of high school, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings last year, Brown is listed at 6-1 and 180 pounds. The Miami native did not record any statistics this past season.
As a prospect during the 2022 class, Little was ranked as the No. 106 overall prospect, per the Composite. As a redshirt freshman this past season, Little recorded two tackles.
Since its inception, the transfer portal has proven to be a big friend to FSU. FSU previously added former Georgia EDGE defender Marvin Jones Jr. Fresh off a 13-1 season and an ACC championship, the Seminoles have arguably used the portal as well as anyone in the country.
FOOTBALL
Record: 13-1
Ranking: No. 4 AP Poll; No. 3 USA Today Coaches Poll; No. 5 College Football Playoff
Recognitions: Mike Norvell, HC (Maxwell Coach of the Year finalist)
Commitments: None
Decommitments: None
2024 Recruiting Class Rank: No. 9 nationally, second in ACC (22 total commitments)
Wrap-up: FSU has already started to use the portal to its advantage. The Seminoles landed three Power 5 transfers this week.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Record: 8-6 (2-1 ACC)
Ranking: N/A
Past Week: (2-0), beat Georgia Tech on Wednesday, 82-71; beat Virginia Tech on Saturday, 77-74
Upcoming: vs. Wake Forest (Tuesday); at Notre Dame (Saturday)
Recognitions: None
Commitments: None
Decommitments: None
2024 Recruiting Class Rank: No. 83 nationally, 15th in ACC (1 total commitment)
Wrap-up: FSU had one of its best weeks of the season. The Seminoles will try to keep the momentum going with two winnable games this week.
Swimming and Diving
Ranking: Men No. 16 CSCAA; women No. 23 CSCAA
Past Week: Idle
Upcoming: vs. Harvard (Tuesday); at Georgia (Saturday)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: The wait is over. FSU will return to the pool this week.
Women’s Basketball
Record: 11-4 (2-1 ACC)
Ranking: No. 22 AP; No. 22 USA TODAY Coaches Poll
Past Week: (1-1), beat Wake Forest on Sunday, 73-61; lost at NC State in overtime on Thursday, 88-80
Upcoming: at Clemson (Sunday); vs. North Carolina (Thursday)
Recognitions: Ta’Niya Latson, G (ACC Player of the Week)
Wrap-up: Although FSU came up short on the road to NC State, the Seminoles proved they could play with the nation’s best.
Men’s Tennis
Record: 0-0
Ranking: No. 20 ITA
Upcoming: vs. Mercer (Saturday); vs. Jacksonville State (Saturday)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: The spring season gets underway this weekend with a pair of matches.
Women’s Tennis
Record: 0-0
Ranking: N/A
Upcoming: vs. Old Dominion (Jan. 16)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: The wait is almost over. After a trip to Hawaii, FSU will begin team events next week.
Track and Field
Ranking: N/A
Upcoming: Clemson Invitational (Friday and Saturday)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: The indoor season gets underway this week.
*Recruiting rankings according to the 247Sports Composite rankings
- Mike Ferguson is the lead writer for Double Fries No Slaw. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. For all of his work, “Like” or “Follow” Mike on Facebook.
