After swapping Florida for Waco, the physical dual-threat passer looks to overcome past inconsistencies and injury woes to transform raw athletic tools into a high-value draft stock.
DJ Lagway's decision to transfer from Florida to Baylor made sense this offseason.
Lagway was a highly touted recruit coming out of high school, but he never looked comfortable playing for the Gators under then-head coach Billy Napier. After a 4-8 season, Lagway returned to his home state to play for the Bears.
Lagway threw for 2,264 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions in 2025, which wasn't ideal for the development of the second-year quarterback.
New head coach Jon Sumrall is facing a challenge in how to replace Lagway this season. He's looking at Tramell Jones Jr. or Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo. Both of those quarterbacks are expected to be a downgrade from Lagway, who is generating some NFL buzz before the 2026 season.
Per Jordan Reid of ESPN, NFL scouts like Lagway's ability to make plays with his arm, though they need to see that he can be a consistent player in the upcoming season. He also needs to show he can stay on the field.
Lagway was a highly touted recruit in 2024 but didn't live up to the hype at Florida before transferring, finishing last season with 2,264 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions," Reid wrote. "At 6-3, 247 pounds, Lagway has physical tools and stature few passers can match.
"He also has a live arm that has scouts intrigued about his potential. Lagway is still highly inconsistent and needs to prove that he can put together long stretches of positive play. Durability has also been an issue; he has suffered multiple soft-tissue injuries and had issues with his throwing shoulder."
Lagway has been open about his struggles with Florida. With a new change in scenery, he could have a breakout season at Baylor.
"I was in a bubble down there, I didn’t feel like a normal person,” Lagway told USA Today about his time at Florida. “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.”
Lagway lacked confidence in Gainesville. Maybe at Baylor, he'll regain it.
If he improves in a few key areas, he could become a draft pick in the NFL.
