Florida Football Eyes Transfer Portal QBs After DJ Lagway's Departure
DJ Lagway’s decision to enter the transfer portal has officially shaken up the quarterback room in Gainesville. With the portal set to open on January 2, 2026, Florida finds itself in a spot where adding not just one, but potentially two quarterbacks could be on the table.
Right now, the Gators are looking at a 2026 depth chart featuring three scholarship QBs: redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr., redshirt junior Aidian Warner, and incoming freshman Will Griffin - the recent Florida Gatorade High School Player of the Year and a four-star recruit. While there’s promise in that group, new head coach Jon Sumrall and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner are clearly looking to reshape the position to fit their system.
Faulkner’s offense leans into Air Raid principles with spread concepts, and it thrives with quarterbacks who can move - guys who can extend plays, keep defenses honest with their legs, and make quick reads in space. It’s not just about arm talent; mobility and decision-making are just as important in this scheme.
With the portal open from Jan. 2 to Jan. 16, Florida will be active.
And while some quarterbacks have already announced their intentions to enter, others are still weighing their options. Here are five names that could be on Florida’s radar - each with ties to the system or skill sets that would fit right into what Faulkner and Sumrall are building.
Aaron Philo - Georgia Tech
Philo might be the most seamless fit of the bunch. He’s already familiar with Faulkner’s offense after spending the last two seasons at Georgia Tech, where Faulkner previously coached. Though he’s played a backup role, Philo has flashed enough to intrigue - especially in a system that’s built around his strengths.
At 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, Philo has appeared in seven games over two seasons, throwing for 938 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions, while adding 95 rushing yards and a score. One of his most notable performances came in Georgia Tech’s upset win over Miami in 2024, where he split time with Haynes King and helped engineer a 28-23 victory.
A redshirt freshman with three years of eligibility left, Philo was a prolific high school passer, breaking Trevor Lawrence’s Georgia state record with 13,922 passing yards. He’s expected to hit the portal soon, and the familiarity with Faulkner could make Florida a natural landing spot.
Jake Retzlaff - Tulane
Retzlaff has already proven he can win under Sumrall, leading Tulane to an impressive 11-2 record this season. The former BYU quarterback has been a dual-threat weapon, throwing for 2,862 yards with 14 touchdowns to six interceptions, while rushing for 610 yards and 16 touchdowns. That kind of production - especially in the red zone - is exactly what Faulkner’s offense thrives on.
At 6-1 and 205 pounds, Retzlaff brings experience and poise. He handled Power 4 competition during his time at BYU, where he threw for 3,595 yards and 23 touchdowns across two seasons from 2023-24. Now a redshirt junior with one year of eligibility remaining, he could be the ideal bridge quarterback - someone who can step in right away and run the offense while the younger QBs continue to develop.
Darian Mensah - Duke
Mensah’s path has already crossed with Sumrall once, and it led to success. He played under Sumrall at Tulane in 2024 before transferring to Duke, where he took a big leap - leading the Blue Devils to an ACC Championship in 2025.
His numbers speak for themselves: 3,646 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. That came on the heels of a strong 2024 season at Tulane, where he threw for 2,723 yards and 23 touchdowns.
At 6-3, 205 pounds, Mensah has the frame, arm, and mobility to fit Florida’s system. But there’s a wrinkle: he reportedly signed a two-year, $8 million NIL deal at Duke, which could complicate a transfer. Still, with two years of eligibility remaining, he has options - including the NFL Draft.
If he does hit the portal, Florida would likely be in the mix, given the existing relationship with Sumrall and his proven ability to thrive in this kind of system.
Brendan Sorsby - Cincinnati
Sorsby is another name to watch, especially if Florida is looking for a quarterback with size and dual-threat capability. The 6-3, 235-pound signal-caller started his career at Indiana before transferring to Cincinnati, where he put together a strong 2025 season: 2,800 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and just five interceptions.
What really makes Sorsby stand out is his rushing ability. Over four seasons, he’s piled up 1,305 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. That kind of production on the ground would give Faulkner a lot to work with - especially in designed run packages and RPO looks.
Sorsby, a redshirt junior, is expected to enter the portal and is also mulling the NFL Draft. If he chooses to stay in college, Florida could be a compelling option for his final year.
Drew Mestemaker - North Texas
If Florida is looking for pure arm talent, Mestemaker has it in spades. The redshirt freshman led the nation in passing this season, throwing for 4,129 yards and 31 touchdowns to just seven interceptions. At 6-4, 211 pounds, he has the prototypical size and the kind of downfield accuracy that would make him a weapon in any offense.
While he’s not a true dual-threat quarterback, Mestemaker isn’t a statue in the pocket either. He rushed for 158 yards and six touchdowns, showing he can move when needed. Sumrall got an up-close look at him in the American Athletic Conference title game, where Mestemaker threw for 294 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-21 loss to Tulane.
He’s expected to enter the portal in January, and while his style is a little different than the typical Faulkner quarterback, his production is hard to ignore.
What’s Next for Florida?
With the portal window rapidly approaching, expect Florida to be aggressive. Sumrall and Faulkner are building something new in Gainesville, and the quarterback position is the centerpiece of that vision. Whether it’s a familiar face like Philo or Retzlaff, or a big-time producer like Mestemaker or Sorsby, the Gators have options - and each brings something different to the table.
The next few weeks will be pivotal. The right quarterback could not only stabilize the position in 2026 but also set the tone for a new era of Florida football.