DJ Lagway saw both the highs and lows during his time with the Florida Gators. The 2025 season began with high expectations, but it ended with a 4-8 record that also saw Billy Napier’s firing before the year concluded.
Florida moved quickly to name Tulane’s Jon Sumrall as its head coach for the 2026 season, while Lagway has since entered the transfer portal on Dec. 15 and is still exploring his next destination.
DJ Lagway Can Fill Void at Ole Miss Amid Trinidad Chambliss Doubts
On3’s Hayes Fawcett reported on Thursday that Lagway would transfer to Baylor. It is a school with which he has strong ties, as his father played for the program, and Baylor actively recruited him throughout the process.
Despite his Baylor commitment, Lagway told On3 on Friday that he is still taking visits, including a trip to Ole Miss on Saturday. That same day, Ole Miss also hosted former Auburn quarterback Deuce Knight.
During ESPN’s College GameDay on Saturday, Pete Thamel discussed the current state of Ole Miss’ quarterback room with these recent visits.
“Ole Miss has been linked to Deuce Knight, the former Auburn quarterback, who’s a high-end recruiter, I believe, is from Mississippi,” Thamel said (47:55). “Because he was committed to Notre Dame, right? Yeah. Their quarterback room’s in a little bit of trouble. But like, can you give DJ Lagway a bunch of millions if you might end up having to pay Trinidad Chambliss if he goes and gets an injunction? It is some fascinating chess here … But my understanding is like Ole Miss is very serious about DJ Lagway and would want to know would want to move on that.”
The visits from Lagway and Knight came a day after the NCAA denied Chambliss’ eligibility waiver for 2026. Amid the Lane Kiffin drama, Chambliss had led Ole Miss to the College Football Playoff semifinals in the Fiesta Bowl, where the Rebels fell 31-27 to Miami.
Replacing Chambliss will be a challenge, who finished the season as one of the top players in college football. He completed 66.1% of his passes for 3,937 yards, 22 touchdowns, and three interceptions, while also rushing for 527 yards and eight touchdowns.
However, Lagway, who holds a 71.2 score in the PFSN College Football QBi, can indeed be a great successor to Chambliss. Lagway joined Florida as a five-star recruit in the 2024 recruiting class. He was the No. 1 quarterback in the class and was ranked as the No. 3 overall player in the nation, according to 247 Sports.
Lagway made an immediate impact at Florida, throwing for 456 yards and three touchdowns in his first start and leading the team to a 6-1 run late in his freshman season. He threw for 2,264 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions in his sophomore season this year.
Lagway struggled due to injuries that plagued him entering his second season at Florida. He underwent surgery for a sports hernia and dealt with a shoulder issue in spring 2025, then strained his left calf before the season started. His troubles continued with another lower-body injury during Florida’s trip to Miami.
Golding has a strong track record in recruiting and could leverage his skills to bring in Lagway to Ole Miss. With a new offensive staff in place, Lagway has the potential to step into the role previously held by Chambliss.
