Lane Kiffin Eyes DJ Lagway as Transfer Portal Heats Up for LSU Quarterback Search
It didn’t take long for Lane Kiffin to start shaking things up in Baton Rouge. Just weeks into his LSU tenure, the new Tigers head coach is already making headlines - and not just for his arrival. Kiffin may be looking to add a marquee name to his quarterback room, and Florida’s DJ Lagway is suddenly front and center.
Lagway, a sophomore dual-threat quarterback, officially announced his intent to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. At 6-foot-3 and 247 pounds, he brings both size and pedigree - and he’s not just another name on the list.
According to 247Sports, Lagway is the No. 1 overall player in the portal right now. That kind of talent doesn’t go unnoticed, especially by someone like Kiffin, who’s built a reputation for developing quarterbacks into NFL-ready stars.
Lagway’s departure from Florida comes after a turbulent year in Gainesville. Head coach Billy Napier was let go during the season, and Tulane’s Jon Sumrall has since been named his replacement. But before Sumrall can turn his attention to rebuilding the Gators, he’ll be leading Tulane into the College Football Playoff - ironically, against Kiffin’s former team, Ole Miss.
Kiffin, who left Ole Miss after the 2025 regular season, had hoped to coach the Rebels through their playoff run. Ole Miss officials had other ideas, and now Kiffin’s full focus is on LSU - and possibly, on Lagway.
Lagway’s decision came with a carefully worded message: “After much prayer, reflection and thoughtful consideration, I have decided to enter the Transfer Portal.” He’ll be a junior next season, and there’s no doubt he’ll be one of the most sought-after quarterbacks available.
Kiffin has a track record here. Just look at what he did with Jaxson Dart, a USC transfer who blossomed under Kiffin at Ole Miss.
Dart went on to become a first-round NFL Draft pick in 2025 - 25th overall - and now starts for the New York Giants. That’s the kind of development pitch Kiffin can make to any quarterback considering a move.
And it’s not just Dart. Kiffin and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. also helped turn Trinidad Chambliss into one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country this season.
Chambliss, who transferred from Division II Ferris State, put up big numbers in 2025: over 3,000 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and only three picks, while adding nearly 500 rushing yards and six scores on the ground. He’s currently 17th in the nation in passer efficiency, and he’s trying to secure another year of eligibility.
If he gets it, don’t be surprised if he follows Kiffin and Weis to LSU.
Worth noting: Weis and much of Kiffin’s offensive staff have already made the move to Baton Rouge, though they’ll still be calling plays for Ole Miss during the playoff run. Once that’s done, LSU’s offensive identity under Kiffin will start to take shape - and who leads that offense could be decided in the coming weeks.
Lagway’s numbers from last season don’t fully reflect his potential. He completed 213 of 337 passes for 2,264 yards and 16 touchdowns across 12 games, but he also threw 11 interceptions and finished 15th in the SEC in passer efficiency.
Health was a factor - he missed spring practice due to core muscle surgery and dealt with a shoulder injury that lingered into the summer. In a tough outing against LSU, he threw five interceptions despite passing for 287 yards and a touchdown.
But go back to his freshman season, and the upside is clear. Lagway was second in the SEC and 10th nationally in passer efficiency in 2024, posting a 154.9 rating with 1,915 yards and 12 touchdowns.
He was 6-1 as a starter that year, and among freshmen, no one had a better efficiency mark. That’s the version of Lagway that coaches - Kiffin included - believe they can unlock again.
Lagway was a five-star recruit out of Willis High School in Texas, rated as the No. 3 overall prospect in the 2024 class and the top quarterback in the country. He arrived at Florida with sky-high expectations, and while injuries and instability may have slowed his rise, the tools are still there.
Another name to watch in the quarterback carousel: Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound sophomore is also expected to hit the portal.
Raiola was efficient and productive in 2025, completing 72.4% of his passes - a school record - for 2,000 yards in just nine games before suffering a season-ending broken leg. He finished 16th in the country in passer efficiency.
Coming out of Buford High in Georgia in 2024, Raiola was the No. 7 overall prospect and the No. 2 quarterback in the nation.
As the transfer portal continues to churn, LSU’s quarterback situation is one of the most intriguing in the country. Between Kiffin’s offensive pedigree, the staff he’s brought with him, and the high-level talent now available, the Tigers are in position to make a major splash - and DJ Lagway might just be the centerpiece.