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UNC should target this former SEC quarterback in transfer portal
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- UNC should target this former SEC quarterback in transfer portal
Football is a team sport. With a college sports landscape dominated by NIL money and the transfer portal , it becomes increasingly tough for coaches to build consistent teams.
There's one player every good team has, regardless of who suits up for them: a consistent, productive, winning quarterback.
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UNC suffered through a 4-8 campaign in Bill Belichick's first season – and didn't find a starting QB until late. Gio Lopez started the season, then Max Johnson took over due to Lopez' injuries, only for Lopez to re-take the starting reins and finish out 2025.
Johnson is gone in the portal, while Lopez likely returns to compete with sophomore Bryce Baker and incoming freshman Travis Burgess . Lopez turned a corner in late October, throwing for 200 yards in five straight games, but he didn't exactly lock down the starting job for 2026.
There's another talented quarterback whom North Carolina should target, one who just entered the portal and could benefit from a re-start: DJ Lagway .
The Florida Gators' starting QB in each of their past two seasons, Lagway bursted off to a great start in 2024, totaling over 2,000 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns. Lagway started seven of his 12 appearances that year, leading Florida to its first bowl win since 2019.
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The Gators regressed to 4-8 this fall, with a win against then-Top 10 Texas their greatest season highlight. Lagway threw 14 interceptions to 16 touchdowns, with his struggles just a microcosm of overall dysfunction in Gainesville.
Lagway is a former Top-10 recruit who ranked as ESPN's top, dual-threat passer in the 2024 recruiting class. High-profile recruits chose UNC in the past – and Belichick is building something special in Chapel Hill.
Sure, the Tar Heels already have three capable QBs in their room. Why not add Lagway for a little friendly competiton?
Who knows – maybe Lagway is the missing piece North Carolina needs in its long-awaited return to ACC football contention.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC football program should target Florida transfer QB DJ Lagway
