Baylor Head Coach Dave Aranda Takes Subtle Shot At Florida With DJ Lagway Comment

The Baylor Bears have some work entering Dave Aranda's seventh season with the program.

Aranda has a 36-37 overall record with four losing seasons, including a 5-7 mark in 2025.

Aranda's time at Baylor might be coming to an end if he doesn't turn things around, and he's sure hoping that the transfers can help bring this program back to relevancy.

One of the biggest dominoes in the entire transfer portal was Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway transferring to Baylor.

Florida fired Billy Napier, and Lagway entered the portal as one of the more intriguing options at the QB position.

While speaking to reporters recently, Aranda said Lagway has more freedom and said he was in a "straight jacket" during his time at Florida.

It was a compliment for Lagway as well as a subtle shot at Florida.

"He's very driven, there is a huge chip on his shoulder. I could see on the recruiting trip, … I could see someone that just wanted to be free," Aranda said, via Alex Byington of On3. "Like (he was in) straight jacket, maybe, someone that is just all boxed in and boxed up and just wanted to be free, express himself, play free. And I think he's felt that at Baylor."

Lagway threw for 2,264 yards with 16 touchdowns last season at Florida. However, he threw 14 interceptions as turnovers were a bit of an issue for the signal-caller.

He is a former five-star recruit who has plenty of talent. And, maybe Aranda will allow him to have more freedom in what could be a massive year for Lagway and the Baylor Bears.

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This story was originally published July 8, 2026 at 7:50 PM.