Tag: Lagway

Reports: Ex-Florida QB DJ Lagway commits to Baylor

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Florida quarterback DJ Lagway has committed to Baylor, according to multiple reports on Thursday.

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

Lagway, a 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.

Last season, 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 during the season and he was replaced after the campaign by former Tulane coach Jon Sumrall.

Sumrall and Lagway met before the latter decided to put his name in the transfer portal.

Lagway, who has two seasons of eligibility remaining, is the son of Derek Lagway, a Baylor running back from 1997-2001.

DJ Lagway also played at Willis (Texas) High, located about 150 miles southeast of Waco.

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

Transfer portal roundup: Several top QBs on the move

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Florida’s 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.

–Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola is set to enter the transfer portal, according to multiple media reports Monday.

Raiola has not played since suffering a broken fibula in the Cornhuskers’ 21-17 loss to Southern California on Nov. 1. The injury ended his season but is not expected to prevent him from being ready to play at the start of next season.

In his second season with the Cornhuskers, Raiola completed 72.4% of his passes for 2,000 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Rumors of a Raiola departure from Nebraska started swirling in late November when his younger brother, three-star quarterback Dayton, decommitted from Nebraska’s 2026 class. His uncle, offensive line coach Donovan Raiola, was fired by Nebraska on Dec. 6.

The father of Dylan and Dayton is former NFL offensive lineman Dominic Raiola, an All-American and Nebraska Football Hall of Fame inductee.

–Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles will enter the portal after two seasons with the Spartans, he confirmed to ESPN.

A junior with one year of eligibility remaining, Chiles began his career at Oregon State and has played in 30 games with the Spartans (2024-25) and Beavers (2023).

Chiles has completed 61.3% of his passes for 4,116 yards with 27 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He has rushed for 531 yards and 12 scores.

Chiles enjoyed one of his best games in 2025 against current No. 1 Indiana, completing 27 of 33 passes for 243 yards and one TD in Michigan State’s 38-13 loss on Oct. 18 in Bloomington, Ind.

–Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby announced his intention to enter the transfer portal.

Sorsby has one season of eligibility remaining and could also enter the NFL draft instead of returning to college. He won’t play in Cincinnati’s bowl game against Navy, ESPN reported.

Sorsby spent 2022 and 2023 at Indiana and made seven starts for the Hoosiers as a redshirt freshman in 2023. At Cincinnati, he’s compiled 5,613 passing yards, 45 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions plus 1,027 rushing yards and 18 TDs over 24 games.

A return to Indiana could be in the cards. The Hoosiers developed Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza into a Heisman Trophy winner and Mendoza’s collegiate career will last till the end of No. 1 Indiana’s run in the College Football Playoff.

–Field Level Media

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway (2) takes questions during a press conference about Billy Napier’s firing at Heavener Football Center in Gainesville, FL on Monday, October 20, 2025. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]

Florida QB DJ Lagway not wavering after firing of coach

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Quarterback DJ Lagway reiterated his commitment for Florida on Monday, one day after the school fired coach Billy Napier.

Lagway, a five-star recruit, was the most prominent player reeled in by Napier during his 3 1/2-season stint with the Gators.

“I’m a Florida Gator, man,” Lagway, a sophomore, told reporters. “My biggest focus right now is these five (remaining) games and continuing to better my craft and continuing to develop as a player.”

Florida (3-4, 2-2 SEC) has a bye this week before resuming Southeastern Conference play against Georgia on Nov. 1 at Jacksonville, Fla.

Lagway became the starter last season during his freshman campaign. He finished the season with 1,915 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

This season, he has passed for 1,513 yards, nine touchdowns and nine interceptions. Five of the interceptions came during a 20-10 loss at LSU.

Standout sophomore linebacker Myles Graham, who has a team-leading 40 tackles, made it clear he’s not interested in exiting Gainesville.

“I’m a Gator, and I’m just focused on rallying these guys for these last five games and just keep rolling,” Graham said.

Napier had a 22-23 record as Florida coach. He went out a winner as the Gators seized a 23-21 victory against Mississippi State on Saturday.

Longtime receivers coach Billy Gonzales was tabbed to serve as the team’s interim coach.

–Field Level Media

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) looks on during fall football practice at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 2, 2025. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]

No. 15 Florida will have QB DJ Lagway for opener

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway is cleared to start the opening game of the season for the 15th-ranked Gators on Saturday against FCS Long Island.

Lagway’s status was uncertain entering the season with an assortment of injuries. He was unable to throw in spring practice while fighting a shoulder injury. He hurt his calf in a team run over the summer, briefly requiring a walking boot.

The sophomore will lead the Gators’ offense to start the game, but how long he’s around is undetermined. The sophomore hasn’t taken true live snaps since the Gators played Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl in December, but head coach Billy Napier said there is no anxiety or concern about how his QB prepares for a game.

“Last year, at this point in time, he had no clue what he was walking into. Until you run out there, you don’t quite understand,” Napier said.

As of Monday, the Gators were undecided on Lagway’s backup. Aidan Warner, a transfer from Yale, freshman Tramell Jones Jr. and former Louisville quarterback Harrison Bailey are competing to be the next man up if Lagway is injured.

“(Lagway) gets better every day,” Napier said Monday. “He’s having a lot of fun playing football and competing. He’s smiling a lot more often now. He truly enjoys practicing, preparing. It’s the opportunity to get better. I think the kid is consumed with improvement, and he knows the value of practice, so him getting to do that, I think he’s happy.”

–Field Level Media

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) throws the ball during fall football practice at Heavener Football Complex at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]

Florida QB DJ Lagway takes first 11-on-11 reps of camp

Posted on | by Field Level Media

With the season opener less than two weeks away, Florida starting quarterback DJ Lagway participated in his first 11-on-11 practice of fall camp on Monday.

According to multiple media reports, Lagway still wore a noncontact jersey as he participated in the live drills for the first time since opening camp in a walking boot.

Lagway could not throw during Florida’s spring practices due to a shoulder injury. He said at Southeastern Conference media days in July that he would be a full participant in fall camp.

Then, he hurt his lower leg during a team run, according to reports. It was diagnosed as a calf strain.

“He took team reps today, which was good, and obviously he was hitting,” coach Billy Napier told reporters on Monday. “He had a great full, full stack of throws last week, four days in a row. Didn’t scrimmage, but did quite a bit of work that day. So yeah, he’s feeling much better and he’s moving around well.”

Lagway was the No. 1-rated quarterback in the high school Class of 2024. He took over as the Gators’ starter midway through 2024 and was named a freshman All-American after throwing for 1,915 yards, 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 12 games.

He was expected to be in the Heisman Trophy discussion this year, barring injuries.

It’s unclear who would start behind center if Lagway cannot play, as Napier said the position battle for backup quarterback is still alive between Louisville transfer Harrison Bailey, Aidan Warner and freshman Tramell Jones Jr.

The Gators open the season Aug. 30 against FCS Long Island.

–Field Level Media

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier gives an injured Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) a hug after the game at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, November 2, 2024. The Bulldogs defeated the Gators 34-20. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]

Florida commits to Billy Napier for ’25; Gators prepare walk-on QB to start at Texas

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Florida head coach Billy Napier was thrown a life raft by athletic director Scott Stricklin on Thursday when he ended speculation about a coaching change by publicly committing to Napier’s return next season.

“UF’s commitment to excellence and a championship-caliber program is unwavering,” Stricklin said in his statement. “In these times of change across college athletics, we are dedicated to a disciplined, stable approach that is focused on long-term sustained success for Gator athletes, recruits and fans.

“I am confident that Billy will meet the challenges and opportunities ahead. We will work alongside him to support any changes needed to elevate Gator football. As college athletics evolves, UF is committed to embracing innovation and strategy, ensuring the Gators thrive in today’s competitive landscape.”

Napier has the Gators at 4-4 entering this week but there’s tough sledding ahead in the SEC with games against No. 5 Texas, No. 14 LSU, No. 16 Ole Miss and the annual rivalry game with Florida State remaining. Napier is 15-18 as Florida head coach and was hired before the start of the 2022 season to replace Dan Mullen.

There are complications for Florida parting with Napier now because the university is operating without a president, and the head coach has a buyout of $20 million.

Florida faces the Longhorns in Austin on Saturday, and the Gators are getting walk-on Aidan Warner ready to make the start because of injuries to Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway.

Lagway left last week’s loss to Georgia and was replaced by Warner, a transfer from Yale. The freshman completed 7 of 22 passes with an interception and was sacked twice.

“I think he’s gotten a little better each day,” Napier said of Warner’s progress. “I think he’s gotten a little more comfortable. He’s obviously taking a few more reps than he normally does.”

The Gators are giving Lagway, who is returning to his home state of Texas, every opportunity to bounce back from a hamstring injury. After being carted off the field against Georgia, Lagway watched the second half from the sideline propped up by crutches.

Asked for an update Wednesday, Napier said Lagway’s situation is “obviously touch and go. Look, the guy’s giving it his best shot.”

But he practiced in what Napier classified as a “limited” capacity on Wednesday and Napier maintained his statement earlier in the week that the leg injury is “less significant” than the team feared.

Mertz is out for the season with a left knee injury. He shared the reps with Lagway before a ligament tear in a loss to Tennessee last month ended his college career.

Saturday would be the fourth college football appearance for Warner. He did not play as a freshman at Yale and is considered a redshirt freshman after compiling 24 career touchdowns at Winter Park (Fla.) high school.

A five-star recruit who starred at Willis, Texas, Lagway had 58 TD passes as a senior and left high school with 129 total touchdowns (100 TD passes). He was the 2023 National Gatorade Player of the Year, 2023 Bobby Dodd National Back (High School Heisman) of the Year, 2023 MaxPreps Player of the Year, 2023 Elite 11 National High School Quarterback of the Year, 2023 National Quarterback Club High School Quarterback of the Year.

Lagway completed 2 of 6 passes for 47 yards and a TD last week and four rushing attempts for 18 yards before he left the game. He is 56 of 92 for 1,071 yards passing with six touchdowns and five interceptions this season. Lagway rushed for 114 yards on 37 carries.

Sophomore wide receiver Eugene Wilson III is also out for the season, Napier said. Wilson, the son of former Illinois safety and 2023 Patriots second-round pick, had hip surgery on Tuesday and faces a four-month recovery. Wilson had 19 receptions for 266 yards and a touchdown this season.

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) runs with the ball against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Florida to start QB DJ Lagway with Graham Mertz (concussion) ailing

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Florida quarterback Graham Mertz is expected to miss the game against Samford on Saturday due to a concussion and freshman DJ Lagway has been tabbed to start in his place.

Mertz was injured in the third quarter of the Gators’ 41-17 loss to Miami on Saturday. He has yet to practice this week.

Lagway replaced Mertz against Miami and completed 3 of 6 passes for 31 yards and one interception.

Florida coach Billy Napier praised Lagway, who was the National Gatorade Player of the Year last season while playing for Willis High, located about 50 miles north of Houston. He enrolled at Florida in January and participated in spring drills.

“I think he did a lot of good things, in particular the second drive where we got to some things where he had success,” Napier said of Lagway’s performance against Miami. “… One of the positives was he had some success and we were able to go down and score a touchdown with him in the game. Obviously he’s a young player, but he’ll continue to work and improve. He’s got a bright future.”

Mertz was 11-of-20 passing for 91 yards and one interception before being injured.

Also, safety Asa Turner (knee) and Devin Moore (shoulder) are among the other Florida players slated to miss the game.

–Field Level Media