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Deshawn Purdie, QB transfer, to reportedly return to portal after release from Florida
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Deshawn Purdie will not be joining the Florida Gators after all.
Multiple outlets are reporting that Purdie’s transfer paperwork with Florida has been withdrawn, effectively releasing him from UF and allowing him to return to the transfer portal.
A transfer from Charlotte, Purdie announced his commitment to Florida on Dec. 22. As a true freshman, Purdie was 100-of-200 passing for 1,802 yards, 10 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.
Florida has been looking to add to its QB depth for the 2025 season. DJ Lagway settled into the starting job after Graham Mertz was lost for the 2024 season due to injury.
Lagway played in 12 games, making 7 starts. He completed 59.9% of his passes for 1,915 yards, 12 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He was recognized as a Freshman All-American by ESPN and other outlets and was named MVP for Florida’s win over Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl.
Though there’s plenty of excitement around Lagway as QB1, the Gators face uncertainty behind him. Lagway was injured in the loss to Georgia and missed the game at Texas. Yale transfer Aidan Warner, a preferred walk-on, struggled filling in for Lagway.
In December, Florida signed Tramell Jones Jr., a 4-star 2025 QB prospect on the 247Sports Composite. Billy Napier’s staff clearly hopes to add another scholarship quarterback to the room with Purdie deciding to go elsewhere.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.