Tag: florida gators

Former Florida QB DJ Lagway signs with Baylor

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Baylor football program officially announced the signing of former Florida quarterback DJ Lagway on Sunday afternoon.

Lagway visited the school in Waco, Texas on Jan. 7 and was spotted numerous times that night at the Baylor-Iowa State men’s basketball game with Bears football coach Dave Aranda.

Three days later, Ole Miss began luring Lagway to visit after the NCAA announced that quarterback Trinidad Chambliss’ waiver request to stay with the Rebels for the 2026 season had been denied.

Lagway did visit, but Ole Miss inked former Auburn quarterback Deuce Knight on Jan. 11, clearing the path for Baylor to finalize the deal.

The former five-star recruit passed for 4,179 yards and 28 touchdowns against 23 interceptions for the Gators from 2024-25. He started 19 of his 24 appearances and compiled a 10-9 record.

In 2025, Lagway completed 63.2% of his passes for 2,264 yards and 16 touchdowns but was intercepted 14 times, most among Southeastern Conference quarterbacks.

Florida dismissed coach Billy Napier in the middle of this past season and he was replaced after the campaign by former Tulane coach Jon Sumrall. Lagway started all 12 games for Florida, but the team struggled to a 4-8 mark and he announced he would be entering the transfer portal on Dec. 15.

Lagway will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.

He is the son of Derek Lagway, a Baylor running back from 1997-2001.

Baylor needed a quarterback to replace three-year starter Sawyer Robertson, who passed for 3,681 yards and 31 touchdowns against 12 interceptions last season.

–Field Level Media

Florida QB DJ Lagway to enter transfer portal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway is entering the transfer portal next month after two seasons with the Gators, he announced Monday.

The sophomore passer was a five-star recruit in former coach Billy Napier’s 2024 signing class, ranked as the No. 1 quarterback and No. 3 overall prospect by 247Sports.

Lagway completed 63.2% of his passes for 2,264 yards with 16 touchdowns and an SEC-high 14 interceptions in 12 games this season for the 4-8 Gators. He directed a win against then-No. 9 Texas on Oct. 4 but finished 1-6 against ranked opponents.

“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have been part of such an incredible program here at the University of Florida,” Lagway posted on Instagram. “After much prayer, reflection, and thoughtful consideration, I have decided to enter the transfer portal.”

The 6-foot-3 quarterback’s two-year totals included 4,179 passing yards with 28 touchdowns and 23 picks in 24 games. Lagway went 6-1 as a starter as a true freshman in 2024, including wins against LSU, Ole Miss, Florida State and Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl.

Florida fired Napier after a 3-4 start and hired former Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall to take over the program on Nov. 30.

The transfer portal opens Jan. 2 and players have until Jan. 16 to submit their names. Players competing in the College Football Playoff final will have an extended window from Jan. 20-24.

–Field Level Media

Florida can play spoiler as Florida State seeks bowl eligibility

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Florida State coaching staff received a boost Sunday when the school decided to retain coach Mike Norvell for another season, but the Seminoles will be looking for a monetary bump this Saturday.

A bowl berth.

Needing one more victory to become eligible, the Seminoles (5-6) will try to earn that when they visit the rival Florida Gators (3-8) on Saturday in Gainesville.

A Seminoles win would leave Florida with its fewest wins in a season since the 1979 team went 0-10-1.

But the Atlantic Coast Conference school’s first item of business after losing 21-11 at North Carolina State last week was keeping Norvell, who is 38-33 since his tenure began in 2020.

The sixth-year coach vows to get the ship righted.

“I’m not going to let them down,” Norvell said on Monday. “I know what it’s got to be, and we’re going to get it done.”

The Seminoles have dropped six of eight, with the season beginning its unraveling on Sept. 26 in a 46-38 double-overtime loss at Virginia.

“Obviously, this week is a huge week,” Norvell said. “I’ve got an elite level of confidence in where we’re going and what we’re going to be able to accomplish.

“I believe we’re close, (but) you lose six games, and it sucks.”

The Seminoles’ Tommy Castellanos has passed for 2,520 yards and rushed for 480 — both team highs. Receiver Duce Robinson tops the ACC with 1,021 yards on 19.3 yards per reception.

Florida won last year’s game 31-11 in Tallahassee.

Running back Jadan Baugh has been the brightest spot for the Gators this season, totaling 904 rushing yards and leading the team with eight scores (six rushing, two receiving).

“It’s been difficult the whole season,” Baugh said. “But we continue to just keep coming in the facility and giving our best. … Florida State, it’s another day in the office, going in there, keeping our head on straight and preparing the right way.”

Florida interim coach Billy Gonzales has been eyeing Baugh’s attempt to become the Gators’; first 1,000-yard rusher since Kelvin Taylor ran for 1,035 yards in 2015.

“I think that’s big,” Gonzales said. “I think individual accolades are always nice to attain, but I think if you asked the team right now if we’d rather have a win or a 1,000-yard rusher, they’d probably say both. But I’d definitely lean more on a W.”

–Field Level Media

Kewan Lacy, No. 7 Ole Miss run past Florida

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Kewan Lacy rushed for a career-high 224 yards on 31 carries and set an Ole Miss touchdown record, and the No. 7 Rebels took another step toward the postseason by rallying to a 34-24 win over the Florida Gators on Saturday night in Oxford, Miss.

The Rebels (10-1, 6-1 Southeastern Conference) rallied from a 24-20 fourth-quarter deficit in avenging a 24-17 loss to the visitors a year ago in Florida that knocked the Lane Kiffin-led squad out of the College Football Playoff.

Ole Miss posted its third consecutive 10-win season for the first time in program history.

Lacy scored three times, giving him 19 to set a Rebels single-season rushing TD record. He increased his team-high rushing total to 1,136 yards with his first career 200-yard game.

Trinidad Chambliss was 26 of 35 for 301 yards with a TD and an interception for Ole Miss. Teammate De’Zhaun Stribling had 76 yards and a TD on four catches.

Ole Miss converted 4 of 7 fourth-down attempts as Kiffin beat Florida for the first time in four tries.

The Gators (3-7, 2-5), rumored to be courting Kiffin as their next head coach, saw DJ Lagway go 16 of 31 for 218 yards with a TD and a pick after being benched a week ago in a 38-7 loss at the Kentucky Wildcats.

Lacy set the record by plunging in with 9:09 left in the first quarter, and the Rebels added another score on a 27-yard field goal by Lucas Carneiro at 3:58.

However, the Gators produced short rushing TDs by Lagway and Jadan Baugh for a 14-10 advantage. The home side went back up 17-14 when Chambliss hit the speedy Stribling in stride for a 43-yard TD on a third-and-10 at 9:39.

Florida, though, had an answer, as Lagway lobbed a scoring reception of 57 yards to J. Michael Sturdivant.

Kickers Carneiro (23 yards) and Trey Smack (38) traded successful kicks as Florida led 24-20 at the break.

In the third, Ole Miss had a strong 15-play, 75-yard series that featured two fourth-down conversions, but Florida stopped the final one at the 1-yard line for a turnover on downs.

However, Lacy galloped 59 yards on the quarter’s final play, and he scored on a short run on the fourth’s first snap for a 27-24 lead.

Following a last-ditch fourth-down turnover by Florida on its own 4, Lacy rushed in for his third score with 1:43 left in regulation and the 10-point difference.

–Field Level Media

Kentucky’s pass rush takes aim at DJ Lagway, Florida

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Florida and Kentucky will square off on Saturday night in Lexington, Ky., with their head coaching positions either interim or tenuously held amid swirling rumors.

In a losing effort last Saturday in a season that has already seen the firing of coach Billy Napier, the Gators (3-5, 2-3 Southeastern Conference) started fast in their yearly battle with standout Georgia. They led twice before yielding a late touchdown in a 24-20 setback to the Bulldogs.

Under interim coach Billy Gonzales’ guidance, Florida kept Russ Callaway as offensive coordinator but elevated quarterbacks coach Ryan O’Hara to the role of play-caller.

As for Kentucky (3-5, 1-5), its seven sacks in a 10-3 win over Auburn served as an eye-opener.

“Up front, they’ve always been big, and (coach Mark Stoops) has recruited length on the outside and edges,” Gonzales said on Monday. “They’ve been very aggressive. … It’ll be a great challenge for our offensive line, who didn’t give up a sack (last week).”

Sophomore DJ Lagway has completed 65.0% of his passes for 1,679 yards with 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Jadan Baugh leads with 683 rushing yards on 132 carries (5.2 per rush) and has five of the squad’s six scores on the ground.

The Wildcats notched their first conference win on the road last Saturday in an ugly tussle that resulted in Auburn coach Hugh Freeze’s firing the next day.

But a win is a win, one that the Wildcats and Stoops — on the hot seat after an 0-5 start in the SEC — found to be desperately needed.

“It’s the same thing this week (as Auburn), playing Florida,” Stoops said. “I know Billy’s not there, but Billy’s assembled a very good football team, very talented, a very physical, good team, and it’ll be another great challenge for us and another opportunity.”

Freshman Cutter Boley has completed 65.8% of his passes for 1,376 yards with 10 TDs and seven interceptions. Seth McGowan has rushed for 529 yards on 114 carries with seven scores.

Kentucky has won three of the past four meetings, but its 20-13 victory in 2021 was expunged after the school vacated its wins due to NCAA violations.

–Field Level Media

Oct 11, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier walks off the field after the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Report: Florida could fire Billy Napier this weekend

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Florida head coach Billy Napier could be fired as soon as this weekend, Yahoo Sports reported Wednesday.

Athletic director Scott Stricklin met Tuesday with a group of “influential boosters” who told him that their continued financial support depends on a “new direction with the program,” according to the report.

The Gators (2-4, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) host Mississippi State (4-2, 0-2) on Saturday in Gainesville, Fla.

Florida entered the season ranked No. 15 before losses to South Florida, LSU, Miami and Texas A&M. The last three on that list were all ranked in the top 10 at the time.

Napier, 46, was already on the hot seat after compiling a 19-19 record in his first three seasons at Florida (2022-24).

Florida would reportedly owe Napier a buyout of more than $20 million if the school fires him without cause. He signed a seven-year, $51.8 million deal in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Oct 11, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) throws the ball during the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Florida eager to put forth complete effort vs. Mississippi State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Florida is hoping this season becomes a repeat of last year at this point.

The Gators (2-4, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) will host Mississippi State (4-2, 0-2) on Saturday in Gainesville, Fla., and attempt to get their season turned around like they did in 2024.

This campaign has become even more disappointing for coach Billy Napier, however.

Florida and Mississippi State have conference commonality: Each lost its last time out at Texas A&M, which moved up to No. 4 in the latest AP Top 25 poll.

The Gators fell 34-17 Saturday night, starting well before wilting as the game played out and being outscored 20-3 over the final three quarters.

Defensively, the Aggies limited the Gators to 319 yards and 1-for-10 on third-down conversions.

“We’re close,” said Napier, desperately seeking a turnaround as his critics get louder. “I think we’re getting better on offense, and I think the defense has played really tough and hard the entire way.”

DJ Lagway threw for 245 yards and two touchdowns in that game.

Last year, Florida was 3-3 but rallied to end with consecutive victories over No. 22 LSU, No. 9 Ole Miss and rival Florida State to conclude a 7-5 regular season.

This season’s second half features matchups against No. 9 Georgia, No. 5 Ole Miss, No. 11 Tennessee and the improved Seminoles, who have rebounded after last year’s 2-10 disaster.

Under second-year coach Jeff Lebby, the Bulldogs also would fall into that improved category after going 2-10 themselves in 2024.

However, after a 4-0 start filled with non-conference games, they have dropped SEC contests against Tennessee and the Aggies.

Pass protection has been a problem, leading to 16 sacks surrendered in six games, tied for 112th nationally.

“There’s not going to be these new, perfect, crazy schemes that all of a sudden give us the ability to go hold the ball for five seconds,” Lebby stated. “It’s fundamentally playing cleaner, having great confidence in our fundamentals, and then being able to go execute that way.”

Lebby added that top running back Fluff Bothwell and safety Isaac Smith were “not a full go” Monday, but top wide receiver Brenen Thompson was “in a great spot physically.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 11, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Jamarion Morrow (23) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Florida Gators at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

No. 5 Texas A&M holds off Florida to improve to 6-0

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Marcel Reed threw for 234 yards and accounted for two touchdowns Saturday night as No. 5 Texas A&M pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 34-17 Southeastern Conference win over Florida in College Station, Texas.

The Aggies (6-0, 3-0) sealed the outcome with 10 points in the fourth quarter. Reuben Owens II scored on a 2-yard run with 4:39 remaining and Randy Bond converted a 22-yard field goal with 1:11 left.

Reed completed 16 of 26 passes with a touchdown and an interception while adding 37 yards and a score on the ground. Texas A&M rolled up 417 total yards and converted 9 of 17 third downs.

DJ Lagway started out hot for the Gators (2-4, 1-2) but cooled off considerably, finishing 21-of-37 passing for 245 yards and two touchdowns. He also lost a fumble in the fourth quarter that led to Bond’s field goal.

Florida totaled 319 yards on offense for the game, just 162 after the first quarter, and was only 1-of-11 on third down.

The first quarter was defense-optional as both teams’ offenses moved at will aside from a 3-and-out on Florida’s second possession. Each offense found the end zone twice, with the Gators going ahead at the 11:08 mark via Lagway’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Amir Jackson.

Texas A&M responded in just two plays — Reed’s 67-yard bomb to Mario Craver and Reed’s 8-yard scoring run. The Aggies then went ahead 14-7 on Reed’s 22-yard touchdown pass to Jamarion Morrow before Lagway hit Dallas Wilson for a 6-yard scoring strike with 3:38 left in the opening quarter.

Le’Veon Moss put the Aggies ahead to stay with a 22-yard touchdown run just 1:56 into the second quarter. His next carry, a 7-yard run on Texas A&M’s next possession, was also his last one. Moss was helped off the field with an apparent left leg injury and didn’t return.

The teams traded field goals in the third quarter. Bond connected from 26 yards with 10:50 remaining for the Aggies and Trey Smack answered with a 45-yarder at the 7:15 mark to make it 24-17.

–Field Level Media

Sep 6, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Colin Simmons (1) reacts after making a tackle during the first half against the San Jose Spartans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

No. 9 Texas puts elite defense against Florida’s anemic offense

Posted on | by Field Level Media

No. 9 Texas pits one of the nation’s top defenses against stumbling Florida on Saturday afternoon in a Southeastern Conference clash in Gainesville, Fla.

The teams, both idle last weekend, meet for the first time in Gainesville since 1940 and for just the fifth time ever. The Longhorns have never lost to the Gators, owning a 3-0-1 mark that includes a 49-17 win last year in Austin.

It’s the SEC opener for Texas (3-1, 0-0 SEC), who climbed one spot in the poll during their bye week. Since losing at Ohio State in its season opener, Texas has feasted on three mid-major teams to prepare for the league gauntlet.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian dispelled the notion that he’s been playing things close to the vest.

“I don’t know necessarily that we’ve held back,” Sarkisian explained. “We have laid a solid foundation in all three phases (of the game) to build upon for SEC play.”

Texas’ most recent contest was a 55-0 walloping of hapless Sam Houston at home on Sept. 20 in which quarterback Arch Manning passed for 309 yards and three touchdowns and ran for two more scores in a little more than a half of action.

“(Manning’s) got his swagger back,” Texas safety Michael Taaffe said. “We’ve all known all the swagger that he’s got, and he’s just got to go play with it. Everybody knew that it was in there, and he just had to stay the course.”

The Longhorns outgained Sam Houston 607-113 and amassed 10 tackles for loss, including five sacks. Ryan Wingo hauled in two TD passes and racked up 125 total yards (93 receiving, 32 rushing).

Playing against Florida on the road to begin the SEC campaign will be a challenge for Texas, Sarkisian insisted.

“Obviously (Gainesville) has been known around the country as one of the more difficult places to play,” he said Monday. “(Florida has) been playing great defensive football all year and they’ve got explosive playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. They’ve been off the mark just a little bit offensively, but it’s not for lack of players and it’s not for lack of scheme.”

Texas has allowed just 31 total points over its first four outings and is ranked second in scoring defense (7.75 points per game) and fourth in FBS to total defense at 211.0 yards per game.

The Gators (1-3, 0-1) have dropped three straight games, most recently a 26-7 loss to then-No. 4 Miami on Sept. 20. Jadan Baugh rushed for a touchdown for Florida in the setback while DJ Lagway was 12-of-23 passing for just 61 yards with a long gain of 12 yards.

In the loss to Miami, the Gators did not convert any of their 13 third-down opportunities and finished with just 141 yards of offense. Florida’s offense ranks 15th out of 16 SEC teams at 328.3 yards per game, with only three touchdowns over its past three games.

“Each team has its own set of problems,” Florida coach Billy Napier said Monday. “I think it’s important that as the season goes, it’s about coming up with solutions. Your team has to improve as you go. Open dates present that opportunity and we certainly got a lot of good work done.”

Lagway said his team’s lack of execution has kept the offense in neutral.

“I love this system, man,” Lagway said. “Player-wise, we just gotta execute what Coach calls. I feel like that starts with me. That starts with, you know, the whole offensive unit.”

–Field Level Media

Florida Gators defensive back Dijon Johnson (27) intercepts the ball but was called back during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 23, 2024. The Gators defeated the Rebels 24-17 [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]

Florida CB Dijon Johnson (knee) out for season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Florida cornerback Dijon Johnson will miss the rest of the season following knee surgery, head coach Billy Napier confirmed Wednesday.

The junior from Tampa, Fla., sustained the injury in Saturday’s loss at Miami and had the procedure Tuesday.

“It’s going to be fixable, nothing long term there, but he will be out for the remainder of the season,” Napier said.

Making his eighth straight start, Johnson tallied four tackles and broke up a pass Saturday before getting hurt while tackling Hurricanes receiver Malachi Toney in the second half.

A four-star recruit in the Class of 2023, Johnson has recorded one interception, one fumble recovery and 37 tackles in 29 career games.

Napier also provided an update on quarterback DJ Lagway, who sustained a foot injury in the 26-7 loss at Miami and wore a protective boot at Tuesday’s practice.

Napier said Lagway is “100 percent” and the coach rejected speculation that his signal-caller could opt out of the rest of the season amid Florida’s struggles.

“It’s comical,” Napier said. “The kid has been back in here since Sunday, working his butt off Monday. (Tuesday) had a really good day. We can’t control that outside narrative, obviously, but he’s just fine. … That’s a total myth that’s out there.”

The Gators (1-3, 0-1 SEC) have lost three straight. They are idle this weekend before hosting No. 10 Texas on Oct. 4 in Gainesville, Fla.

–Field Level Media