There’s a competition in Oregon State’s football camp between three quarterbacks looking to become the starter.

It’s expected to play out to the end of camp. No one is saying it. But six practices into camp, it might be close to over.

Clemson transfer D.J. Uiagalelei has looked that good.

The 6-foot-5 junior is one of the camp’s showstoppers. He appears to have command of the offense after learning it for the past eight months. Although not a big part of Uiagalelei’s game, he’s a serious threat as a runner; when he’s at full speed, it’s a 252-pound body that’s difficult to bring down.

But it’s the accuracy and zip on Uiagalelei’s passes that has caught the eye. Throwing into the tightest spaces, as far as 40 yards downfield, Uiagalelei almost always seems to connect with his receiver.

It’s the kind of passing game spark Oregon State hopes to add to a dynamic running game and become one of the Pac-12′s better offenses in 2023.

Uiagalelei was understandably inconsistent during spring practice, as he was only a few months removed from playing in a different offense at Clemson. It appears he went to work in the interim. The timing, zip and confidence are there on Uiagalelei’s passes.

“I got more comfortable with the receivers, comfortable with the timing, the rhythm of the play … as many reps as you get, I feel like the more comfortable you get,” Uiagalelei said.

Asked how learning this offense has been compared to others during his life, Uiagalelei said “It’s been fun. I love the game of football. Love growing my knowledge of football. … I got taught at a young age just to be a sponge and take as much information as I can.”

Getting the offense into a huddle has been different. Uiagalelei said he hasn’t huddled since playing Pop Warner. Although he primarily played out of the shotgun in high school and Clemson, Uiagalelei said it hasn’t been a big adjustment playing quarterback under center.

“It’s like riding a bike. Takes a couple seconds to get used to it, and it feels normal again,” he said.

You won’t hear projections about the season or where things stand from Uiagalelei. He’s very much process-oriented. It’s almost like talking to a coach in that he repeatedly says “I’m taking it day-by-day, one play at a time.”

What he treasures about playing at Oregon State is “the brotherhood.”

“It’s almost like a blue collar mentality here. That’s the biggest thing I love. When I first came here, that’s the first thing I noticed … there’s no egos at all,” Uiagalelei said.

There was a pleasant distraction for Uiagalelei this summer when the Los Angeles Dodgers made him a 20th-round draft selection. Never mind that Uiagalelei hasn’t pitched or played baseball since his high school junior season.

“I appreciate the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was an amazing opportunity for me,” he said. “I didn’t have any intention of picking up a baseball. I told them that. My main focus, and they know that, is football.”

But a good option for way down the road?

“I’m not even thinking down the road,” Uiagalelei said. “I’m thinking about tomorrow’s practice.”