Why did DJ Lagway transfer to Baylor? Coaching staff, proximity to home drew Florida QB
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Former Florida quarterback DJ Lagway is returning to his roots for the 2026 college football season.
The former five-star recruit was expected to breakout as a sophomore in 2025, but the season didn’t quite go to plan: He threw 16 touchdowns to 14 interceptions in 12 starts for the Gators. The Willis, Texas, native has since transferred to Baylor under coach Dave Aranda.
The start of the season won’t be easy, either. Lagway and the Bears open the year against a new-look Auburn team on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The 6-foot-3 signal caller is one of the most-talented quarterbacks in college football, and he’s hoping a return home can fulfill that potential.
Here’s everything to know of Lagway, including why he transferred from Florida ahead of Baylor’s Week 1 bout:
Why did DJ Lagway transfer to Baylor from Florida?
Lagway transferred from Florida after his former coach, Billy Napier, was fired by the Gators following a disappointing 4-8 season. With an unknown staff coming in after a season full of struggles, Lagway opted to enter the transfer portal.
Baylor was an obvious fit for Lagway, as Waco, Texas, is just over a two-hour drive from his hometown of Willis. He also grew up around the program, as his dad, Derek Lagway, starred at running back for the Bears from 1997-2001.
Lagway was also looking for a culture change, telling USA TODAY Sports he felt isolated in Gainesville, Florida. He even goes to class in person for the first time as a college student since transferring to Baylor.
“I was in a bubble down there, I didn’t feel like a normal person,” Lagway said. “I didn’t even know what the campus looked like. I was really closed off. I didn’t really hang out with my teammates. Yeah, I was depressed. I just stayed in my own lane. Stayed out of the way.”
Offensive coordinator Jake Spavital also has an impressive background with quarterbacks. He not only helped Sawyer Robertson become one of the best passers in college football the last two seasons, but also coached Geno Smith at West Virginia and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M.
He also coached Will Grier — another former Florida quarterback that transferred to the Big 12, ironically — at West Virginia, developing him into a prolific college passer.
Lagway told reporters this offseason that the coaching staff was another selling point with his decision.
“The way Coach (Spavital) dials it up and just seeing what Sawyer did in the previous two years was definitely eye-catching to me,” Lagway told reporters this offseason. “So I'm excited to continue to learn this offense and continue to get better."
DJ Lagway stats
Here’s a look at Lagway’s season-by-season stats in college:
- 2024 (Florida): 115-of-192 passing (59.9%) for 1,915 yards with 12 touchdowns to nine interceptions; 5o carries for 101 yards with a touchdown
- 2025 (Florida): 213-of-337 passing (63.2%) for 2,264 yards with 16 touchdowns to 14 interceptions; 71 carries for 136 yards with a touchdown
DJ Lagway 247 rating
Lagway was one of the highest-rated recruits of the 2024 recruiting class. Here’s where he ranked nationally as one of the most sought-after prospects out of high school and the transfer portal:
- Transfer portal: Four-star recruit (No. 47 nationally, No. 6 quarterback)
- High school: Five-star recruit (No. 7 nationally, No. 2 quarterback)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why did DJ Lagway transfer to Baylor? Coaching staff, proximity to home drew Florida QB
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos