Florida QB DJ Lagway Enters Transfer Portal: What It Means and Who Might Come Calling
Another high-profile name has hit the college football transfer portal, and this one could shake up the quarterback market. Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway is reportedly entering the portal, signaling the end of his time in Gainesville and opening the door for a fresh start elsewhere.
This move comes as a bit of a curveball. After the firing of head coach Billy Napier, Lagway initially indicated he planned to stay put and ride out the transition. But plans change quickly in today’s college football landscape, and now the former five-star recruit is looking for a new home.
A Former Five-Star with Big-Time Tools-and Big-Time Questions
Lagway came to Florida with sky-high expectations. Ranked as the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class, he brought a tantalizing mix of athleticism, arm strength, and playmaking ability. He saw the field early, appearing in 12 games as a true freshman and taking over the starting job after Graham Mertz went down with a season-ending injury.
At times, Lagway looked like the real deal-flashes of brilliance that reminded fans why he was so highly touted. But those flashes were often followed by frustrating stretches of inconsistency. Turnovers became a recurring issue, and decision-making remained a work in progress.
In 2025, those growing pains became harder to overlook. Lagway threw 16 touchdowns but also tossed 14 interceptions, nearly a one-to-one ratio that tells the story of a quarterback still figuring things out.
His struggles were on full display during a rough outing against LSU in Baton Rouge, where he threw five interceptions in a single game. That performance stuck with Tiger fans-and not in a good way.
Over two seasons at Florida, Lagway completed 62.0% of his passes for 4,179 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions. The raw numbers reflect both his potential and his volatility.
Could LSU and Lane Kiffin Be a Fit?
Now that Lagway is on the move, the natural question becomes: where does he land next? LSU is a name that’s already being floated, especially with Lane Kiffin at the helm.
Kiffin has a reputation for maximizing quarterback talent, and his track record backs that up. Just this season, he turned Division II transfer Trinidad Chambliss into a legitimate SEC playmaker. If there's a coach who could help Lagway clean up the turnovers and unlock his upside, it's Kiffin.
But this isn’t a simple plug-and-play scenario. Lagway has struggled against SEC defenses-there’s no getting around that. His decision-making under pressure has led to costly mistakes, and at a program like LSU, where expectations are sky-high and the College Football Playoff is the standard, there’s not a lot of patience for growing pains.
Tiger fans want a quarterback who can lead them back to the national spotlight. Based on what we’ve seen from Lagway so far, it’s fair to wonder if he’s ready for that kind of responsibility.
The tools are there, no doubt. But the consistency?
That’s still a major question mark.
What's Next?
Lagway’s entry into the portal adds another intriguing wrinkle to an already wild transfer season. He’s got the pedigree, the physical talent, and two years of SEC experience under his belt. That combination will make him an attractive option for programs looking to develop a high-upside quarterback.
Whether LSU gets involved-or whether another program takes the leap-remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: DJ Lagway’s next stop will be one of the more closely watched moves of this transfer cycle. And for a player with as much potential as Lagway, the right fit could make all the difference.