The undrafted free agents a team brings in can be just as impactful as the players they select in the NFL Draft. With the 2025 NFL Draft in the books, the LA Chargers are wasting no time making additions to the roster and are doing so in a notable way.
The first reported UDFA signing for the Chargers this year could not have been more surprising. Per NFL insider Tom Pelissero, the Chargers have signed former Florida State and Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei.
Obviously, the Chargers are set at the quarterback position and there is no controversy to be had. However, signing Uiagalelei is extremely compelling given his background at the collegiate level.
Chargers sign D.J. Uiagalelei in shocking UDFA move
For those unfamiliar, Uiagalelei was one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2020 high school class. In fact, Uiagalelei was such a polished quarterback prospect in high school that he was an early favorite to be in the running for the No. 1 overall pick.
After losing Trevor Lawrence to the NFL Draft as the No. 1 overall pick, Clemson turned to Uiagalelei to be his successor. Unfortunately for Clemson, it never quite worked out as Uiagalelei failed to live up to the high bar Lawrence established.
All Uiagalelei did during his college career was hurt his NFL Draft stock. He went from being someone in contention for the No. 1 overall pick to someone who had to fight for a chance to even play in the league.
Uiagalelei's tenure with Clemson lasted just three disappointing seasons before he transferred to Oregon State. After a year at Oregon State, Uiagalelei trasferred to a talented UCF team that was just on the outside of making the College Football Playoffs.
After going 13-1 without Uiagalelei in 2023, the Seminoles started the 2024 season 1-4 with Uiagalelei under center. Uiagalelei suffered a hand injury in that fifth game that would end his season. He completed 53.8% of his passes and threw more interceptions than touchdowns.
The Chargers now have two compelling former big-name quarterbacks in the quarterback room behind Justin Herbert. Uiagalelei joins Trey Lance, who has failed to live up to being a first-round pick, let alone a top-three pick in the NFL Draft.
The Chargers are clearly just throwing a dart, hoping that one of the young quarterbacks can show some promise to be Herbert's long-term backup. Los Angeles has Taylor Heinicke to fill that role in the short term but the team needs a cost-controlled option for the long term.
If he puts together a strong camp and preseason, Uiagalelei could be in the running for that long-term backup role. Based on his college play, though, Chargers fans should not hold their breath.