DJ Lagway Enters the Portal: LSU and James Madison Eye the Former Florida Star
What a difference a year makes.
Just last season, DJ Lagway was the face of Florida football’s future - a five-star quarterback who stepped into the chaos and gave Gators fans a reason to believe. Now, after a rocky sophomore campaign and a head coaching change in Gainesville, he’s officially in the transfer portal. And two programs - LSU and James Madison - are wasting no time making their pitch.
From Savior to Transfer
Lagway’s sophomore season didn’t go the way anyone in Gainesville hoped. Florida stumbled to a 4-8 finish, and the fallout was swift.
Billy Napier, the coach who recruited Lagway and handed him the keys to the offense, was shown the door in November. Jon Sumrall stepped in as the new head coach, and from there, things unraveled quickly between Lagway and the program.
According to multiple sources, Lagway’s first meeting with Sumrall’s staff didn’t go well. The new coaches reportedly challenged him on his work ethic and competitiveness - not unusual in a regime change, but it clearly didn’t sit right with the quarterback.
Lagway wasn’t looking for promises or NIL guarantees. What he wanted was a clear plan for development, a belief in his potential.
And when he didn’t hear that, the writing was on the wall.
He made it official Monday morning, announcing on social media that he was entering the portal.
What the Numbers Say
Lagway’s stats this season were a mixed bag. He completed 63% of his passes for 2,264 yards, with 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
The turnovers were a concern - no way around that - but the raw talent is still obvious. He’s got the arm, the mobility, and the upside that had scouts buzzing when he came out of Willis, Texas.
And despite the struggles, his name still carries weight. There’s a reason two programs are already lining up for him - and why more could follow.
LSU: Kiffin Makes His Move
Lane Kiffin didn’t waste time letting the world know he’s interested. The new LSU head coach reposted Lagway’s transfer announcement on social media just hours after it went live. And with the Tigers in need of quarterback depth, the fit makes a lot of sense.
Garrett Nussmeier is out of eligibility, and while LSU recently added Michael Van Buren Jr. - who started eight games for Mississippi State - there’s still uncertainty at the position. Kiffin could potentially bring Trinidad Chambliss with him from Ole Miss, but his eligibility status is in limbo. Chambliss filed for a waiver to play another year, but the NCAA hasn’t ruled yet.
If Chambliss can’t go, Lagway becomes a top option. Yes, he threw five picks against LSU earlier this season, but that hasn’t cooled the Tigers’ interest. Kiffin sees the upside, and he’s never been shy about betting on talent.
James Madison: A Familiar Face
Then there’s James Madison, where the story takes on a more personal tone. Billy Napier, now the head coach at JMU, is the one who brought Lagway to Florida in the first place. Under Napier, Lagway went 6-1 as a freshman starter - a stretch that made him one of the most talked-about young quarterbacks in the SEC.
The reunion angle is real. Lagway reportedly loved his time at Florida and the environment around the program.
But love for a school doesn’t mean much when the new staff questions your makeup. At JMU, he’d be walking into a situation where the head coach already believes in him - and that matters.
What JMU can’t offer, though, is what LSU can: elite facilities, national exposure, and big-time NIL backing. That’s the tradeoff. Familiarity and trust versus the bright lights and resources of a top-tier SEC program.
What’s Next?
Lagway’s next move will be one of the more closely watched decisions in this transfer cycle. He’s not just another quarterback in the portal.
He’s a player with first-round tools who’s still figuring out how to put it all together. And for the right program - one that believes in his potential and has a plan to unlock it - he could be a game-changer.
LSU and James Madison are first in line. But don’t be surprised if others jump in soon. Quarterbacks with this kind of ceiling don’t stay on the market long.