FSU head football coach Mike Norvell updates DJ Uiagalelei’s health

Florida State is off to a disastrous start to the 2024 season with a 1-3 record, with injuries piling up as the year progresses. After losing running backs Roydell Williams and Jaylin Lucas and questionable players on the offensive line, the ‘Noles are now dealing with injuries at the quarterback position, forcing younger players to step up.

Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei went down in last week’s loss to SMU, and head coach Mike Norvell announced the extent of his injury, saying he would miss this weekend’s matchup with Clemson.

“He will be out this Saturday. We still have further testing to see how long this will last, but it will most likely be in the next few weeks.”

The two players behind Uiagalelei are true freshman Luke Kromenhoek and redshirt freshman Brock Glenn. Glenn is probably the favorite to start this Saturday’s game because he replaced the quarterback when Uiagalelei went down.

“I think he made some good decisions. I thought he took some things that we would be able to go back and be able to correct on film. The same goes for Luke,” Norvell said of Glenn and Kromenhoek after training on Tuesday. “(It was) the first day of installation and the things we are taking care of as part of the plan for this week. Overall, I thought it was a solid day.”

Glenn played in five games last season and started in Florida State’s 16-6 victory over Louisville in the 2023 ACC Championship Game. He also started in the ‘Noles’ 63-3* loss to Georgia in the Orange Bowl and has recorded 229 passing yards and two interceptions in the six games he has played in his career. He will likely be thrown into the fire again against the Tigers. The Noles family will have to rally around Glenn this Saturday, and Norvell said he has earned the respect of his teammates.

“His first start was in the championship game; obviously the conditions there were very difficult, even when bowling, as if that was the case. We’re probably playing one of the better teams in the country, but he’s built for this. I love his energy. His teammates respect that,” Norvell continued. “The work and investments he makes. It has a great balance to it. I see a lot of similar traits in Luke as well… There’s no doubt that you know that Brock has earned respect for his time here in Tallahassee.”

Uiagalelei had six interceptions on the year, which was costly for a Seminole offense that has consistently struggled in 2024. Norvell said Glenn’s game-by-game development will be crucial if the team wants to beat Clemson.

“One of the things that I appreciated even in these two games is that you saw a lot of progress in the things that were asked of him,” Norvel said of Glenn. “I saw a lot of improvement. Some of the mistakes he made in the first match were corrected in the second match. Overall, this will make a huge difference in this week’s game. We have to make sure we have the ball.”

The Seminoles and the Tigers game will begin on Saturday, October 5 at 7 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPN.

You can watch Norvell’s entire interview below.

READ MORE: Former FSU DT released from NFL for the first time against No. 1 pick Caleb Williams

Take care NoleGameday for more FREE Florida coverage Football throughout the 2024 season

Follow NoleGameday on i Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, AND TikTok

• The highest and lowest rated Seminoles from FSU’s embarrassing loss to SMU

• Florida State fans and former players react to loss to SMU Mustangs

• Mike Norvell explains why he replaced DJ Uiagalelei with Brock Glenn during FSU’s loss

• Florida State’s offensive struggles deepened following a 42-16 loss to the SMU Mustangs