DJ Lagway Hits the Transfer Portal - Should UNC and Belichick Take a Swing?
It’s been a busy stretch in the college football world, with the transfer portal lighting up as players across the country look for new opportunities. One of the more intriguing names to hit the market? DJ Lagway - the former 5-star quarterback who once had Gator Nation buzzing with excitement.
Lagway’s time at Florida didn’t go the way many expected. Coming out of the 2024 recruiting class, he was the No. 3 quarterback in the country and the top-ranked player in Texas - a dual-threat talent with a cannon for an arm and the kind of athleticism that made scouts salivate. But two years into his college career, the results haven’t matched the hype.
Now, Lagway’s ready for a fresh start, officially entering the portal with plans to find a new home when the window opens next month. And while there’s already plenty of chatter about potential landing spots, one program that should absolutely be doing its homework is North Carolina - especially with Bill Belichick now steering the ship in Chapel Hill.
The Numbers Tell the Story - But Not the Whole One
Lagway’s sophomore season was a mixed bag, and that’s putting it kindly. He threw for 2,264 yards and 16 touchdowns, but also racked up 14 interceptions - a turnover rate that raised eyebrows and tested the patience of Florida fans.
The inconsistency was tough to ignore. At times, he flashed the elite traits that made him such a coveted recruit.
Other times, he looked like a player still figuring out the speed and complexity of the college game.
But here’s the thing: development isn’t linear, especially for young quarterbacks. Some guys hit the ground running.
Others take time. Lagway’s raw tools are still there - arm strength, mobility, playmaking instincts - and under the right guidance, there’s still a chance he becomes the quarterback many thought he could be.
Why UNC Makes Sense
Enter North Carolina, a team in flux at the quarterback position. Gio Lopez, who transferred in last offseason, struggled throughout the 2025 campaign.
The offense never found its rhythm, and the Tar Heels are clearly in need of a reset under center. Belichick, now in his first full offseason with the program, is expected to be aggressive in reshaping the roster - and the quarterback room is a natural starting point.
Bryce Baker, a 4-star signee from the 2025 class, is waiting in the wings and could very well be the future of the position in Chapel Hill. But he’s still green, and pushing him into the starting job before he’s ready could do more harm than good. That’s where someone like Lagway could fit in - not just as a short-term starter, but as a potential bridge to the Baker era.
Would there be risk? Of course.
Bringing in a quarterback with turnover issues isn’t a no-brainer. And yes, any addition to the room could create ripple effects with young talent already on the roster.
But if there’s a coach who knows how to manage a competitive locker room and get the most out of a talented-but-flawed player, it’s Bill Belichick.
A Calculated Gamble
This isn’t just about plugging a hole. It’s about upside.
Lagway still has the kind of ceiling that makes coaches take notice - and in the right system, with the right coaching, he could thrive. Belichick’s track record with quarterbacks speaks for itself.
If he sees something worth salvaging in Lagway, it’s a move that could pay off in a big way.
At the very least, it’s a conversation worth having in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels need a solution at quarterback, and Lagway needs a fresh start.
Sometimes, the right fit is less about where a player has been and more about where he could go next. And under Belichick’s watch, UNC might just be the place where Lagway finally puts it all together.