Meet the Teen Who Can Throw a Football 85 Yards and a Baseball 95 MPH
Just a week after Kyler Murray became the first person to be a first-round pick in both the MLB and NFL drafts, the sports world is getting introduced to another multisport star.
Remember the name of D.J. Uiagalelei.
The junior at St. John Bosco High School in Southern California stands 6 feet 4 and weighs 240 pounds and can throw a football 85 yards. He’s ranked as the No. 1 quarterback in the Class of 2020 by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals and has been called the next Cam Newton.
But that’s only half of what makes Uiagalelei so unique. He’s also an all-world baseball player who throws a 95 mph fastball. The “next Cam Newton” has also elicited Roger Clemens comparisons for his work on the diamond.
As you would imagine, Uiagalelei has football offers from all over the country, including Alabama, LSU and Ohio State. But he revealed Wednesday he has narrowed his list to three schools: Oregon, Clemson and Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California, where two of his uncles coached, according to 247 Sports.
In a hype video that might make some NFL social media teams jealous, Uiagalelei said he’s made up his mind and will announce his verbal commitment Sunday.
My mind is made up and the date is set, I am now ready to Commit. . .?#SCODUCKS?#ALLIN?#SACDAWGS@DustinLaemmlen pic.twitter.com/KKB378NigE
— ? DJ Uiagalelei ? (@DJUiagalelei) May 2, 2019
Ahead of that announcement, Uiagalelei talked to Bleacher Report and revealed that he’s keeping his options open when it comes to football and baseball.
“I want to play both sports in college,” Uiagalelei said. “I really would like to play football and baseball as long as I can. If I get lucky enough to be able to play Major League Baseball or in the NFL, that would be a blessing.”
Uiagalelei got his first scholarship offer in the sixth grade, and the offers kept rolling in before he had even thrown a pass in high school, thanks to his athletic potential.
The Uiagalelei household includes D.J.’s younger brother Mataya, an eighth-grader who is also a highly touted prospect. Their parents say they try to keep them on the right path and stay out of influencing their coaches or controlling their careers.
“I’m not trying to be the next LaVar Ball,” the boys’ father, David Uiagalelei, told Bleacher Report. “I’m just enjoying every minute of this and helping my son make the decision that is right for him.”
I thank every1 who poured into DJ’s life. From when he started playing sports as a young child. To the young man he is today. Thank you son for being obedient to the hard work, sacrifice and respecting the process. Because of it, you’ve made me, mom and your whole family proud. pic.twitter.com/vhoigFkdVa
— David Uiagalelei (@DUiagalelei) April 20, 2019
Bosco football head coach Jason Negro helped send Josh Rosen to the NFL, and he said he believes D.J. Uiagalelei can be a top 10 draft pick just as Rosen was.
“I think they’re both going to be amazing NFL players,” Negro said of Rosen and Uiagalelei. “I know that’s saying a lot about where I believe D.J. is going. But if he continues to trend in this direction, I don’t see him being anything less than what Josh is.
No. 1 pro-style QB DJ Uiagalelei has picked a commitment date. He will choose from Clemson, Oregon and Mt. San Antonio College: https://t.co/LFM4l4qN6C pic.twitter.com/A0vLrelZuw
— 247Sports (@247Sports) May 2, 2019
“I honestly think a year or two from where he’s at now, he could be one of the 32 guys starting in the NFL. As long as he stays healthy and continues down this career path, he’s gonna be a top-five or top-10 pick.”
As for the baseball side, Uiagalelei pitched in two scrimmages this year after having not pitched over the previous four years.
According to Bosco’s baseball coach, it didn’t take long for the velocity to return.
“It really was unbelievable,” Don Barbara told Bleacher Report. “I don’t think it would take him that long to get to the big leagues. Not with his arm and not with his curveball. …
“I hear from agents and from scouts. There are a lot of people interested in him. If that guy was pitching right now, the stadium would be filled. It’s crazy.”
Thousands of kids play both football and baseball in high school, but very few compete in both sports in college. Only a handful have played both in the pros, and while Uiagalelei said being a two-sport athlete is a dream of his, he doesn’t think the Murray comparisons are justified just yet.
“I mean, I’m still in high school,” he said. “It’s a whole different story with me and Kyler Murray. I’m just trying to play both sports right now, and there’s a lot of people who are trying to do that.”
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