Former Florida quarterback DJ Lagway, who committed to Baylor earlier this month but proceeded to visit another school, officially signed with the Bears on Sunday, a source briefed on the decision confirmed to The Athletic.
Lagway, the No. 9 player in The Athletic’s transfer quarterback rankings, initially committed to Baylor on Jan. 8, a day after an official visit to campus. But on Jan. 9, Ole Miss received news that quarterback Trinidad Chambliss had his waiver request for 2026 denied, and the Rebels worked to bring in Lagway for a visit. Ole Miss had been recruiting Lagway prior to his Baylor visit.
At the time, Lagway had not signed his scholarship paperwork with Baylor, meaning he was not bound to the school and could still be recruited by other programs. A commitment is not official until a player signs.
Although the Rebels hosted Lagway, they took a commitment on Jan. 11 from Auburn quarterback transfer Deuce Knight. That helped Baylor’s chances of reaching the finish line with Lagway, a player the Bears had targeted and long hoped to sign for the 2026 season, given his ties to the school. His father, Derek Lagway, played running back at Baylor from 1997 to 2001.
Lagway entered the transfer portal on Jan. 2, the first day it was open, after two seasons at Florida. The Willis, Texas, native signed with the Gators out of high school as a five-star recruit. He went 6-1 as a starter as a true freshman in place of the injured Graham Mertz in 2024.
Injury issues hampered Lagway throughout his Florida career, including in the offseason leading up to 2025. Amid high expectations, Lagway had an underwhelming 2025 season, throwing for 2,264 yards, 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 12 starts. Still, multiple programs showed interest in Lagway because of his size (6-foot-3, 247 pounds) and physical talent. Lagway also visited Florida State and Virginia while he was in the portal.
What does this mean for Baylor?
Getting this done is an important step for coach Dave Aranda and the Bears, who are trying to fill many holes on the 2025 roster. None was bigger than quarterback, where two-year starter Sawyer Robertson has exhausted his eligibility.
Aranda, who is 36-37 in six seasons and 16-21 in the last three, needs a big year to keep his job. Pairing Lagway with offensive coordinator Jake Spavital gives the Bears a chance, though. Since 2011, every Power 4 starting quarterback who has made 11 starts in a season with Spavital as his offensive coordinator and/or quarterbacks coach has surpassed 3,000 passing yards and thrown at least 28 touchdown passes in that season. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Lagway put together a big year in Waco if he can stay healthy.