Florida Gators have a clear DJ Lagway replacement in front of them, and there’s a connection that could make it happen

The Florida Gators are searching for a QB to replace DJ Lagway, and they may have one in Georgia Tech’s Aaron Philo, who is entering the transfer portal.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Georgia Tech quarterback Aaron Philo (12) warms up before the start of a NCAA college football game against Georgia in Athens, Ga., on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Philo played his high school football in the Athens area winning a state championship at Prince Avenue Christian.
Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Florida Gators are looking for another quarterback to lead the team in the 2026 season after DJ Lagway announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal. It was a tough blow for the Gators, especially since he wanted to stay at Florida.

That’s the nature of the business of college football, though. Players move more often now than they ever have with the nature of NIL and revenue sharing. It also leaves head coach Jon Sumrall the task of finding a new quarterback.

Florida Gators’ top transfer portal target plans to enter

One of the potential targets for the Gators has officially entered the transfer portal in Georgia Tech quarterback Aaron Philo.

If you haven’t heard of Philo, it’s understandable. He wasn’t a starter for Georgia Tech, as he sat behind Haynes King. Philo was a three-star recruit out of Georgia who was the Class A Division 1 Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 with 4,598 yards and 54 touchdowns. He did get one start this year in Week 6 against Gardner-Webb, going 21-of-28 for 373 yards and one touchdown.

It won’t be an easy sell to the fanbase that the next starting quarterback will be someone with only one start in college. However, they aren’t getting a player the staff knows nothing about. Philo was recruited and coached by offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner. His ability to adapt the offense to whoever the quarterback is. Considering the pre-existing relationship, Faulker obviously sees something in Philo, and Gators fans should put their trust in him.

It’s far from a guarantee that Philo will end up at the Gators, but rumors are already swirling that Florida has made an NIL offer. The next few weeks will be fascinating, including who else the Gators might target.

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