Duke might be eyeing a major addition under center, and the name in the mix is a familiar one: DJ Lagway. The former Florida quarterback, who committed to Baylor earlier this month but hasn’t signed yet, is now being considered a potential replacement for Darian Mensah, who recently entered the transfer portal.
Lagway brings size, experience, and pedigree to the table. At 6-foot-3 and 247 pounds, he’s built more like a linebacker than a quarterback, but his game is defined by a mix of arm talent and mobility.
Last season, as a sophomore, he threw for 2,264 yards with 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, while adding 136 rushing yards and a touchdown. Over his college career, he’s totaled 4,179 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 23 picks, with 237 yards and one score on the ground.
While the numbers show some inconsistency, there's no denying the upside. Lagway was once a 5-star recruit out of Texas and ranked as the No. 3 overall player and top quarterback in the country by 247Sports. In the transfer portal, he’s currently rated the No. 4 quarterback and No. 14 overall prospect - a testament to the belief that his best football may still be ahead of him.
In 2024, Lagway posted a 6-1 record as a starter for Florida, a stretch that briefly gave head coach Billy Napier a lifeline. But the Gators couldn’t sustain the momentum, stumbling to a 4-8 finish last season and landing 11th in the SEC. It was their second bowl-less campaign in three years, and Lagway’s future in Gainesville became uncertain.
That opened the door to a potential move, and while Baylor - where his father, Derek Lagway Sr., once played - seemed like the next chapter, his unsigned status has left room for other suitors. He’s also taken visits to Florida State and Virginia, but now Duke is reportedly in the mix as well.
For Duke, the appeal is obvious. With Mensah gone, the Blue Devils are looking for a quarterback who can step in and compete right away. Lagway fits that mold - a big, athletic passer with SEC starting experience and a ceiling that still intrigues coaches across the country.
Whether he ends up in Durham or elsewhere, Lagway’s decision will be one of the more closely watched moves in this transfer cycle. He’s got the tools. Now it’s about finding the right fit.