Florida Gators named potential landing spot for high-upside quarterback who can provide crucial depth behind starter DJ Lagway

DJ Lagway is still slated to be the starting quarterback, but having a quality backup quarterback is paramount for Jon Sumrall.

Ryan Roberts, Tyler Forness
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Sep 20, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Kenny Minchey (8) throws a pass against the Purdue Boilermakers in the second half at Notre Dame Stadium.
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One of the positions that the Florida Gators need to address this offseason is quarterback.

DJ Lagway will be the starter for the 2026 season, barring injury or entering the transfer portal. Even so, the position needs some much-needed depth. They are losing Harrison Bailey and Clay Millen to graduation, and with Lagway’s injury history, having depth is paramount.

Right now, the Gators have true freshman Trammel Jones Jr. and 2026 four-star Will Griffin, who won Florida’s Gatorade Player of the Year award. Even with those two behind Lagway, that might not be enough depth for new head coach Jon Sumrall.

Florida Gators named landing spot for talented transfer quarterback

The transfer portal is a great spot for the Gators to look at fortifying a position immediately. That’s why the Gators have been linked to Notre Dame Fighting Irish transfer quarterback Kenny Minchey, who has announced his intention to enter the transfer portal.

It would be an interesting option for the Gators, as it would mainly be as a backup quarterback, with the potential to take over for Lagway if he declares after the 2026 season. What could the Gators be getting in Minchey? Well, he nearly started over CJ Carr, and our Notre Dame beat writer Ryan Roberts believes there is talent and upside.

“Before the season, Kenny Minchey and CJ Carr were locked up in a very competitive quarterback battle to be Notre Dame’s starting signal caller. Many believed that Minchey would get the nod, but the younger Carr won out last minute,” said Roberts. “At 6-2 and 208 pounds, Minchey is a talented pocket passer who also has the legs to create things outside of structure. While things didn’t work out for him in South Bend, it was more an issue of timing. He is a talented overall quarterback with loads of upside and two years of eligibility remaining. There is no reason why he shouldn’t be a starting quarterback on the Power Four level. The tools are certainly there.”

The Gators would be smart to bring in Minchey, but it could be a tough sell for him to commit to a school where he has little to no chance to be the starting quarterback. Things could change if Lagway enters the transfer portal, which could make Minchey an intriguing option.

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