Uiagalelei, who is of Samoan descent,[4][5] attended St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California.[6][7] As a junior in 2018, he was the USA Today High School Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for 3,366 yards and 48 touchdowns.[8] As a senior, he passed for 4,225 yards and 48 touchdowns.[9] Uiagalelei also played baseball in high school.[10]
A five-star recruit, Uiagalelei committed to Clemson University to play college football on May 5, 2019. He signed with them on December 18, 2019, and enrolled at Clemson on January 8, 2020.[11][12]
Uiagalelei started his first game for Clemson on October 31, 2020, against Boston College. He replaced Trevor Lawrence, who was ruled out after testing positive for COVID-19.[13] Uiagalelei completed 31 passes on 40 attempts for 342 yards and 2 touchdowns in leading Clemson to a comeback victory after being down by 18 points in the first half.[14] He started a second game in place of Lawrence the following week on November 7, 2020, against undefeated Notre Dame; Clemson lost to the Irish in an overtime thriller, 47-40, despite another impressive performance by Uiagalelei, who completed 29 of 44 passes for 439 yards and 2 touchdowns.[15][16]
In 2021, after Trevor Lawrence left for the NFL, Uiagalelei became Clemson's starting quarterback. He came into the season with much hype. The Tigers were ranked #3 in the nation in the preseason poll. He signed a deal with Dr. Pepper and Bojangles to appear in their commercials throughout the season. Clemson's first challenge of the season would come against the then #5 Georgia Bulldogs. Uiagalelei played poorly, going 19-for-37 on pass attempts, threw for 178 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception. The game's only touchdown came from a pick six thrown by Uiagalelei. Clemson ultimately lost the opener, 10–3.
After being benched in favor of Cade Klubnik during the 2022 ACC Championship Game, Uiagalelei announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on December 4, 2022.[17][18]
On December 24, 2022, Uiagalelei announced that he would be transferring to Oregon State University.[19] On August 22, 2023, Oregon State named Uiagalelei the starting quarterback over Ben Gulbranson and Aidan Chiles.[20] It was announced on November 30, 2023, that Uiagalelei would be once again entering the transfer portal following Coach Jonathan Smith's decision to leave OSU for Michigan State.[21]
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