Florida QB DJ Lagway Enters Transfer Portal Amid Coaching Shakeup

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway has officially entered the transfer portal, a move that follows a season of injuries and a coaching change at the University of Florida. The announcement was made via social media on Monday. It comes after a season marked by limited playing time and a coaching transition at the Gators. Lagway’s departure signals a shift for the program’s quarterback depth chart.

DJ Lagway

Lagway posted a heartfelt message on Monday, saying “I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have been part of such an incredible program here at the University of Florida.” He thanked family, friends, teammates, coaches, training staff and “every member of the Florida community” in his goodbye note. He expressed appreciation for the coaching staff and the program’s culture.

During the 2023 season, Lagway completed 63% of his passes for 2,264 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. He also rushed for 136 yards and one touchdown. These numbers illustrate a quarterback who contributed in multiple facets of the offense.

Lagway’s season was interrupted by several injuries. He missed most of the offseason program while recovering from core‑muscle surgery, a sore throwing arm, and a strained calf. He also missed time in 2024 with a hamstring injury.

The Gators, who finished 4‑8, fired coach Billy Napier in October. Tulane’s Jon Sumrall was hired to replace Napier, and Sumrall had recruited Lagway out of Willis, Texas. Sumrall is expected to take the quarterback position in a new direction.

Lagway had a promising freshman year, starting six of seven games and posting a 6‑1 record as a starter. As a sophomore, however, his performance slipped, with sloppy mechanics and a clear lack of confidence in the pocket. The drop in performance raised questions about his future with the program.

Lagway’s brand value also suffered in Gainesville. He was set to earn more than $3 million in 2026 at Florida and had already made millions through name, image and likeness deals with Gatorade, Jordan Brand, Mercedes‑Benz, Lamborghini Orlando, T‑Mobile, Beats by Dre, Chipotle and others. These deals represent a significant revenue stream for the player and the university.

The decline in his marketability prompted Lagway to seek a fresh start. He will look for a new program where he can rebuild his on‑field confidence and his off‑field brand. Lagway hopes a new program will allow him to regain his confidence and marketability.

In his final post, Lagway expressed gratitude to everyone who supported him during his time in Gainesville. He thanked the coaching staff, teammates, and fans for their support. His message underscored the community’s role in his development.

Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola

Nebraska’s quarterback Dylan Raiola has also announced plans to enter the transfer portal, according to multiple media outlets. Raiola’s decision follows a season where he faced injury setbacks. His move reflects the competitive nature of quarterback positions in college football.

Raiola was one of the top national recruits out of Buford, Georgia in 2023 and the highest‑ranked player to sign with the Cornhuskers. His father, Dominic Raiola, was a standout center at Nebraska, and his uncle, Donovan Raiola, served as the team’s offensive line coach for four years before being fired on Dec 6. Raiola’s family has a strong football legacy at Nebraska.

Since arriving at Nebraska, Raiola has started all 22 games. He threw for 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns in nine games before breaking his leg against Southern California on Nov 1. His performance before the injury showcased his potential as a dual‑threat quarterback.

Following the leg injury, Raiola has indicated that he will enter the transfer portal. The transfer portal offers Raiola a chance to reset his career trajectory.

Cincinnati’s Brendan Sorsby

Cincinnati junior quarterback Brendan Sorsby announced on social media that he is also entering the portal and could declare for the NFL draft. Sorsby’s decision comes after a standout season in terms of yardage and touchdowns. He is exploring options that could lead to an NFL career.

Sorsby finished the season with 2,800 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, five interceptions, 580 rushing yards, and nine rushing touchdowns. His rushing stats highlight his versatility on the field.

The Bearcats were 7‑1 before dropping their final four games, a slump that left the program in a precarious position heading into the postseason. The late‑season slump left the Bearcats in a difficult position heading into the postseason. The program’s future remains uncertain.

Coach Scott Satterfield told reporters on Monday that senior Brady Lichtenberg and freshman Samaj Jones will both see action in the Liberty Bowl against Navy on Jan 2. “They’re excited for the opportunity. Both of those guys have practice well throughout the season, they just haven’t played a whole lot. So this will be their opportunity to go out there and make some plays for us. I’m excited to see what they can do,” Satterfield said.

Key Takeaways

• DJ Lagway is leaving Florida amid coaching changes and injury setbacks.
• Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola is entering the portal after a leg injury.
• Cincinnati’s Brendan Sorsby is also entering the portal and may declare for the NFL draft.

These moves highlight a broader trend of quarterbacks seeking new environments after challenging seasons, underscoring the fluid nature of college football rosters in the transfer era.