DJ Lagway signs with Baylor: Ex-Florida QB inks with Bears after curious delay

Finally, DJ Lagway has made a decision regarding his plans for the upcoming football season. The former second-year Florida Gators quarterback signs with Baylor 10 days after committing to them.

A former five-star recruit, the 6-foot-3, 247-pound Lagway entered the transfer portal on Dec. 15 after two seasons in Florida. He had early visits to Florida State and Virginia before heading to Ole Miss after Trinidad Chambliss was denied a sixth season of eligibility. There were also rumors that Duke could be in the mix for Lagway’s services after Darian Mensah entered the transfer portal at the 11th hour.

Ultimately, however, Lagway, 20, decided to sign with Baylor while following in the footsteps of his father, Derek, who played running back for the Bears from 1997 to 2001.

While he showed flashes of his potential in Florida, injuries kept Lagway from having more success during his time with the Gators. Multiple injuries, for example, kept him out of Florida’s spring practices ahead of the 2025 season. A calf issue in July further hampered his availability to practice.

These injuries and the resulting loss of training time undoubtedly impacted Lagway’s effectiveness once the 2025 season began. He and the Gators got off to a 1-3 start to the season that included a 20-10 loss to LSU that saw Lagway throw a season-high five interceptions.

Lagway finished the season with 2,264 yards and 16 touchdowns while completing 63.2% of his passes. He also threw an SEC-high 14 picks for the Gators, who finished the season with a 4-8 record.

Lagway showed his potential late in the 2024 season by leading the Gators to four straight victories, including a season-high 305 yards in a 33-8 win over Tulane in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl. He also led the Gators to victories over then-ranked LSU and Ole Miss before Florida defeated rival Florida State in their regular season finale.

A former USA Today Offensive Player of the Year, Lagway was named Mr. Texas Football in 2023 after throwing for 4,631 yards and a Texas 6A record 58 touchdown passes during his senior season. He also rushed for 975 yards and 15 touchdowns while showing off his impressive versatility.

Lagway will join a Baylor team that went 5-7 last season and 3-6 in the Big 12. Despite last year’s struggles, the school decided to retain coach Dave Aranda, who went 36-37 in his first six seasons with the Bears. His best season with the Bears came in 2021, when he led Baylor to a 12-2 record that was capped by the Sugar Bowl victory over Ole Miss.