Ex-Clemson QB D.J. Uiagalelei predicted to make position change after signing with Chargers

Billy Heyen

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Ex-Clemson QB D.J. Uiagalelei predicted to make position change after signing with Chargers image

D.J. Uiagalelei is officially an NFL player.

The path wasn't as straightforward as once imagined. 

He looked destined to be a star quarterback at Clemson, but he didn't last with the Tigers. He spent college time with Oregon State and Florida State.

He eventually signed an undrafted free agent contract on Saturday with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Now, the question is whether he'll stay at QB.

Sports Illustrated's NFL insider Albert Breer predicts Uiagalelei will be a tight end in the NFL.

At 6-foot-4, Uiagalelei would be a dominant red zone presence if he could figure out the nuances of the position.

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He's likely not enough of a passer to be anything other than an underwhelming backup QB at the NFL level.

Could he play tight end? He wouldn't be the first to try to make this switch.

Tim Tebow briefly was tried out as a tight end. Travis Kelce was a high school quarterback before changing positions. 

University of Buffalo QB Tyree Jackson spent a few years with the Eagles as a backup tight end.

It's not a path frequently traveled, but Uiagalelei will likely take whatever chance he can.

He'll want to stay in the NFL as long as possible. If tight end is the way to do that, the well-traveled QB will give it a shot.

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Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle