"I don't think the level he's played at is good enough to win a championship": Josh Pate sounds off DJ Uiagalelei leading Seminoles in 2024

Last season, FSU QB Jordan Travis helped his team go on a fairytale run. FSU went on to become the undefeated ACC Champions and were in contention for the playoffs to compete for the national championship. However, Travis suffered a serious injury against North Alabama, and the team's playoff dream fizzled out.

With Travis drafted by the New York Jets in the 2024 NFL draft, the torch has now been passed on to DJ Uiagalelei as his successor. Uiagalelei spent three seasons with Clemson and one season with Oregon State before transferring to Florida State ahead of the 2024 campaign.

But CFB analyst Josh Pate is still skeptical about FSU's chances of competing for the national championship with DJ Uiagalelei as the starting QB. During a recent episode of "The Late Kick Josh," he rationalized his doubts about Uiagalelei's potential by breaking down his performance so far in his collegiate career.

"I don't think that's good enough to be a national championship contender at Florida State", Pate said. "But it doesn't mean he has to be that. It could be that he has planted himself in the middle of the best situation he could possibly be in.

And he's at a program there and he's being led by a head coach and a coaching staff that's gonna squeeze a little bit more out of him that has been squeezed out of him in anywhere else. That's not something I would put past that Florida State staff at all. How much more do they need?

Or is Florida State able to play such a complimentary style this year that they can take the calibre of quarterback that he's been and legitimately be a national championship contender with that. I think they could contend for the ACC. I think they could contend for making a playoff spot. I don't think the level he's played at is good enough to win a championship."

If FSU secures another ACC championship this year, then they automatically earn a bid in the new 12-team playoff format. But Uiagalelei will have to pull up his socks to make this dream a potential reality.

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FSU head coach Mike Norvell puts his faith in DJ Uiagalelei

During an appearance on "Always College Football" with Greg McElroy, Norvell opened up about why he felt that the new Seminoles starting QB is a 'complete package.' He also talked about what made DJ Uiagalelei the perfect successor to Jordan Travis.

"I think DJ is the total package. You see an elite level talent, skill, obviously the size and really has a lot of great experience. Some of it's been really good, some of it's been challenges he had to overcome and work through and I think when you bring all of that to the person, I mean it starts with him with his heart, just a great person, great in the locker room" " (13:00)

DJ Uiagalelei has a lot of expectations riding on his shoulders ahead of his FSU debut. With Norvell chasing glory again, the QB will have to prove his worth on the gridiron.