DJ Lagway Enters Transfer Portal: LSU, Miami Among Early Suitors for Former 5-Star QB
DJ Lagway is back in the spotlight-and this time, it’s not about his five-star pedigree or dual-threat potential. The Florida sophomore quarterback has officially entered the transfer portal, setting the stage for what could be one of the more intriguing portal recruitments of the 2026 cycle.
Lagway arrived in Gainesville as the crown jewel of Florida’s 2024 class. He was the top-ranked dual-threat quarterback in the country, a player with the kind of raw athleticism and arm talent that gets coaches and fanbases dreaming big.
But two seasons into his college career, the results have been mixed. The flashes of brilliance have been real-undeniable, even-but so have the growing pains.
Let’s start with the numbers: over 12 games as a true freshman and a full sophomore campaign, Lagway completed 62.0% of his passes for 4,179 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions. That’s a stat line that speaks volumes.
The yardage and touchdowns show a quarterback who can move the ball and make plays. But the 23 picks?
That’s a red flag for any offensive coordinator looking for stability under center.
Lagway took over Florida’s starting job after Graham Mertz went down with a season-ending injury, and while he had moments where he looked like the future of the program, he also had games that left fans shaking their heads. None more so than Week 5 against LSU, when he threw five interceptions in a single game-a performance that underscored his ongoing struggles with decision-making and ball security.
Still, the upside remains tantalizing. Lagway has the tools: size, mobility, a live arm, and the ability to extend plays outside the pocket.
He’s the kind of quarterback who, in the right system, could blossom into a difference-maker. And that’s exactly why programs like LSU and Miami are expected to be major players in his recruitment.
According to industry insider Pete Nakos, both LSU and Miami are already in the mix as potential landing spots. And when you look at what LSU has done with transfer quarterbacks in recent years, it makes sense.
Lane Kiffin has built a reputation for maximizing QB talent, particularly through the portal. His recent success stories-like Jaxson Dart and Trinidad Chambliss-are proof that he knows how to identify and develop signal-callers who need a fresh start.
If Kiffin sees Lagway as the next project worth investing in, expect LSU to go all-in. The Tigers have the infrastructure, the offensive scheme, and the coaching acumen to help Lagway clean up the mistakes and harness the talent.
But it won’t be a quick fix. Any team that brings him in will need to be patient and committed to his development.
Miami, on the other hand, offers a different kind of opportunity. The Hurricanes are also in search of a long-term answer at quarterback, and Lagway’s skill set could fit nicely into their evolving offensive identity. Whether it’s Coral Gables or Baton Rouge, what’s clear is this: Lagway’s next stop will be critical-not just for his career, but for the program that takes him on.
There’s no denying the volatility of his 2025 season. The turnovers, the inconsistency, the moments where he looked overwhelmed by SEC defenses-it’s all part of the package.
But so is the potential. And in today’s college football landscape, where the portal can flip a team’s fortunes overnight, a quarterback with Lagway’s ceiling is always going to draw attention.
Now, it’s a matter of fit. Can a coaching staff unlock the version of DJ Lagway that made him a five-star recruit in the first place?
LSU and Miami believe they might be the ones to do it. And if either can, they won’t just be getting a quarterback-they’ll be getting a game-changer.