Quarterback DJ Lagway has seen it all. From a sold-out Ben Hill Griffin Stadium chanting his name, to navigating a 14-interception season in which his head coach was fired, Lagway has experienced the ups and downs of college football.
After two seasons as quarterback of the Florida Gators, Lagway entered the transfer portal Dec. 15. Just weeks later on Jan. 8, On3's Hayes Fawcett announced that the rising junior will be transferring to Baylor, his father's alma mater. But then, one day later, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that Lagway had not officially committed to Baylor, and that he was likely to continue to make visits, including at Ole Miss.
The Bears are led by Dave Aranda, who has had an up-and-down tenure during his time in Waco with a 36-37 record. Its starting QB over the past few seasons, Sawyer Robertson, will head to the NFL Draft.
Meanwhile, the Rebels recently fell short in the Fiesta Bowl College Football Playoff Semifinal to Miami on Jan. 8. Their quarterback, Trinidad Chambliss, applied for another year of eligibility, but the NCAA refused his waiver Jan. 9. Chambliss and Ole Miss are expected to appeal the ruling.
Lagway joined the Gators as a five-star recruit out of Willis, Texas, and quickly won over the Florida fanbase. In his first college start, the young quarterback threw for three touchdowns and a career-high 458 yards against Samford, Sept. 7, 2024.
However, injuries plagued Lagway entering his second season at Florida. The quarterback dealt with a shoulder injury and surgery for a sports hernia in the spring of 2025, before straining his left calf prior to the 2025-26 season. To make matters worse, Lagway suffered yet another lower-body injury in UF’s trip to Miami four weeks into the season.
These injuries took a toll on Lagway as the sophomore seemed uncomfortable in the pocket and was unable to find rhythm during the season. He led UF to an 18-16 loss at home against South Florida in week two, before throwing a career-high five interceptions against LSU the subsequent week.
Lagway continued to struggle throughout the season, and despite a brief benching against Kentucky, started all 12 games for UF. He ultimately finished the season with 2,264 yards, 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, but not before Florida head coach Billy Napier was fired after the Gators’ 3-4 start to the season.
Without Lagway, the Gators will turn to their young quarterback room in 2026: Freshman Tramell Jones, redshirt freshman Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo and up-and-coming four-star commit Will Griffin.
This is a developing story.
Contact Curan Ahern at cahern@alligator.org. Follow him on X at @CuranAhern.
Curan is a third-year journalism-sports & media major who currently serves as the football beat reporter for The Alligator, now in his third semester with the paper. When not at his computer screen writing, Curan enjoys spending time outdoors, hanging with friends, family and pets, and watching the Patriots lose (no, he doesn't miss Brady).
