Lane Kiffin may already have his next quarterback target in mind at LSU, and DJ Lagway fits the profile of the type of reclamation project the offensive-minded coach has embraced throughout his career.
With Kiffin leaving Ole Miss for LSU, the Tigers are expected to be active in the transfer portal as they search for a quarterback capable of running his high-octane system.
Lagway, a former five-star recruit who entered the transfer portal Monday, could be one of the most intriguing options available. He leaves Florida after a mixed tenure in Gainesville, but his talent has never been questioned, including by Kiffin himself.
“I watched the guy beat us last year and play great and have one of the highest yards per completion of any player in the country last year,” Kiffin said on an SEC teleconference last month. “I know the guy can play as well as anyone in the country at times and we gotta make sure that’s not against us.”
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— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) December 15, 2025
Those comments show Kiffin’s belief in Lagway’s upside, even as Florida struggled with consistency. Kiffin has repeatedly defended Lagway’s ceiling and big-play ability, noting the challenges young quarterbacks face in unstable situations.
Lagway signed with the Gators in 2024 as the crown jewel of Billy Napier’s recruiting class and appeared in 21 games over two seasons, becoming the full-time starter in 2025. After leading Florida to five wins in its final six games the previous year, he entered the season with Heisman buzz and lofty expectations.
Instead, injuries and inconsistency defined his year. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound quarterback completed under 60% of his passes while throwing 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He was limited by lingering issues from shoulder surgery and a sports hernia and did not throw during spring practices.
A fresh start under Kiffin could offer Lagway the structure and freedom to rediscover his five-star form in the SEC.
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