D.J. Uiagalelei has taken another step in his football journey after landing with the Los Angeles Chargers. Once one of the most highly regarded quarterback recruits in the country, Uiagalelei has experienced an unusual college and professional path that has now brought him to the NFL.
The quarterback’s name has also drawn attention because of his younger brother, Matayo Uiagalelei, an Oregon edge rusher and one of the more intriguing prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft.
Here is everything to know about D.J. Uiagalelei, his Chargers contract, NFL career and brother.
Who Is D.J. Uiagalelei?
D.J. Uiagalelei is an American football quarterback who currently plays for the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers list him as a quarterback wearing No. 7, with a height of 6-foot-4 and weight of 252 pounds. He played his college football at Clemson, Oregon State and Florida State.
Uiagalelei originally became a major national name at St. John Bosco High School in California. His strong arm, size and athletic ability made him one of the top quarterback prospects in his recruiting class.
His college career began at Clemson, where he eventually took over for Trevor Lawrence. He later transferred to Oregon State before finishing his college career at Florida State.
D.J. Uiagalelei and the Chargers
The Chargers signed D.J. Uiagalelei to a Reserve/Future contract on January 13, 2026. Los Angeles included him among 14 players signed to reserve/future deals as the team prepared for the new NFL season.
Uiagalelei also spent time on the Chargers’ practice squad during the 2025 season. On January 3, 2026, Los Angeles elevated him from the practice squad for a game against the Denver Broncos.
The Chargers’ post-draft roster update in April 2026 listed Uiagalelei as one of the team’s three quarterbacks alongside Justin Herbert and Trey Lance.
That gives him an opportunity to continue developing behind established NFL quarterbacks while competing for a larger role.
What Is D.J. Uiagalelei’s Contract?
D.J. Uiagalelei’s Chargers deal is a Reserve/Future contract signed in January 2026. The Chargers’ official transaction log confirms the signing, but the team has not publicly listed a detailed contract value in its announcement.
A reserve/future contract generally allows a team to retain a player and bring him into its offseason roster, giving the player an opportunity to compete for a spot on the regular-season roster.
Therefore, reports about a specific dollar amount should be treated carefully unless they come from a reliable contract database or the NFL/team.
D.J. Uiagalelei’s NFL Career
Uiagalelei entered the NFL after completing his college career at Florida State. He was not selected in the NFL Draft and instead continued his professional career as an undrafted player.
His first significant NFL opportunity came with the Chargers, where he joined the practice squad and worked to develop behind the team’s established quarterback group.
The Chargers later elevated him for an NFL game in January 2026.
As of the Chargers’ current player profile, he remains on the team’s roster and is listed as having one year of NFL experience.
D.J. Uiagalelei College Stats
Uiagalelei finished his college career at Florida State after transferring from Oregon State and Clemson.
During his 2024 season with Florida State, he started the team’s first five games before suffering a season-ending injury. He completed 84 of 156 passes for 1,065 yards and four touchdowns, according to Florida State’s official statistics.
His final Florida State game came against SMU, when he threw for 222 yards and two touchdowns, although he also had three interceptions.
His college journey is notable because he played at three major programs:
- Clemson Tigers
- Oregon State Beavers
- Florida State Seminoles
That experience gave him exposure to different offensive systems and coaching staffs before his move to the NFL.
Who Is D.J. Uiagalelei’s Brother?
D.J. Uiagalelei’s younger brother is Matayo Uiagalelei, an edge rusher for the Oregon Ducks.
The brothers have followed different paths at the college level. D.J. established himself as a quarterback, while Matayo developed into a highly regarded defensive player. Oregon has identified Matayo as D.J.’s brother in its official football materials.
Matayo was a highly rated high school recruit at St. John Bosco and eventually chose Oregon. His size, athleticism and pass-rushing ability have made him an important name to watch ahead of his potential NFL career.
Could D.J. and Matayo Uiagalelei Play Together in the NFL?
The possibility of the two brothers playing for the same NFL team has already generated interest.
During the 2026 draft cycle, projections connected Matayo with the Chargers, which would have created a reunion between the two brothers in Los Angeles. Sports Illustrated reported that D.J. was already with the Chargers while Matayo was emerging as a major NFL prospect.
For now, however, D.J. and Matayo remain on separate professional paths. D.J. is working to establish himself as an NFL quarterback, while Matayo continues his college career at Oregon.
D.J. Uiagalelei’s Chargers Outlook
The Chargers represent an important opportunity for Uiagalelei.
At 6-foot-4 and 252 pounds, he has the physical profile NFL teams look for in a quarterback. His college experience at three programs also means he has faced different systems and levels of competition.
The biggest challenge is earning a consistent place on an NFL regular-season roster. The Chargers have Justin Herbert as their franchise quarterback and also retained Trey Lance, making the quarterback competition difficult. NFL.com’s 2026 offseason tracker confirms that Los Angeles re-signed Lance to a one-year, $2.5 million contract with $2 million guaranteed.
For Uiagalelei, the immediate goal is to continue developing, perform well in offseason opportunities and earn the coaching staff’s confidence.
Final Take
D.J. Uiagalelei’s journey from elite high school quarterback to Clemson starter, Oregon State transfer, Florida State quarterback and NFL player has been anything but ordinary.
His current chapter is with the Los Angeles Chargers, who signed him to a reserve/future contract in January 2026. The Chargers later carried him on their post-draft roster, giving him another opportunity to compete at the NFL level.
His family connection makes the story even more interesting. His younger brother, Matayo Uiagalelei, is an Oregon edge rusher with NFL potential, creating the possibility that the Uiagalelei brothers could eventually share an NFL roster.
For now, D.J.’s focus is on turning his Chargers opportunity into a permanent NFL role.
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