FSU Transfer Portal Priorities, DJ Lagway’s Surprise Move, and More from Tallahassee
Florida State’s offseason is already heating up, and the transfer portal is front and center. Redshirt defensive back Cai Bates is officially entering the portal, and while that’s a notable departure, the bigger question is what comes next for the Seminoles. Two positions stand out as immediate priorities: edge rusher and quarterback.
The need at edge rusher is no surprise-FSU's pass rush has been a calling card in recent years, and replenishing that pipeline is crucial to maintaining the defensive identity. Meanwhile, the quarterback situation remains fluid.
The portal’s QB market is active, but not exactly overflowing with can't-miss talent. Still, it only takes one right fit to change a season.
One name that’s suddenly on the radar? DJ Lagway.
The No. 3 quarterback in the 2024 class and former top overall QB prospect has entered the portal, and this one caught folks off guard. Unlike other high-profile transfers that had been brewing for weeks, Lagway’s decision came quickly after initial meetings with Florida’s new coaching staff reportedly didn’t go well.
Now, schools like Florida State, Baylor, Duke (depending on Darian Mensah’s situation), Clemson, LSU, and Miami are all being mentioned as possible landing spots. Worth noting: Lagway’s dad played at Baylor, so there’s some legacy pull there.
If Lagway ends up at FSU, the comparisons to Brock Berlin-a former five-star who transferred within the state and made noise-are bound to come up. It’s early, but this is a storyline worth keeping an eye on.
Elsewhere on the recruiting front, the Seminoles are already looking ahead beyond the 2026 class. One of their early targets for 2027 is four-star defensive back Emerson Lewis out of Savannah, Georgia. FSU has extended an offer, and Lewis fits the mold of the long, athletic DBs the Seminoles have prioritized in recent cycles.
In terms of individual honors, freshman offensive lineman Mandrell Desir continues to stack accolades. He’s landed another Freshman All-American nod-this time from 247Sports.
Right next to him on the list? Zahir Mathis, a player who nearly joined the Seminoles but ultimately chose Maryland.
That one still stings a bit, especially seeing both players shine this early in their college careers.
And while it’s a long shot, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is chasing history. If he can lead the Hoosiers to a national title, he’d join a very exclusive club-just 18 players have ever won both the Heisman and a national championship in the same season. Two of those names, of course, are Seminole legends.
Across FSU Athletics:
Jordynn Hudson is in elite company. The standout from FSU Soccer is a finalist for the prestigious Honda Sports Award.
If she wins, she’d become the fourth Seminole soccer player-and fifth FSU athlete overall-to take home the honor. It’s another reminder of just how dominant FSU Soccer has been on the national stage.
Basketball, however, is looking to get back on track. Both the men’s and women’s teams are riding four-game losing streaks heading into a quiet week in Tallahassee. That calm won’t last long, though-Thursday evening brings a chance to reset and stop the skid.
Noles in the Pros:
Derwin James is showing out at the next level. You could make a strong case that no one is playing the safety position better right now. He’s flying around the field, making plays in coverage and against the run, and doing it all with the kind of physicality that made him a star in garnet and gold.
Asante Samuel Jr. is healthy again, and that’s bad news for opposing quarterbacks. He’s back to doing what he does best-blanketing receivers and being a general nuisance in the secondary. His instincts and ball skills are as sharp as ever.
And in the world of college athletics off the field, former FSU quarterback Drew Weatherford is making moves of a different kind. He recently joined the ‘Momentous Sports’ Podcast to talk about the intersection of private equity and college sports.
With reports swirling about his firm potentially teaming up with Redbird Capital to help finance the Big 12 Conference, Weatherford offered some perspective. While there’s momentum in the space, he believes we’re still years away from schools directly selling equity themselves.
Looking Ahead:
It’s a transitional moment for Florida State across multiple sports, but the pieces are in place for another strong push. Whether it’s reloading through the portal, building toward the future with young stars, or watching alumni shine at the next level, the Seminoles continue to make their presence felt.