After the 2025 season, Florida State needed a new starting quarterback. The Seminoles evaluated multiple transfer options with different skill sets and experience levels before settling on Auburn’s Ashton Daniels.
Recent comments from one of the other finalists revealed just how close the decision came to going another direction.
What Happened
Florida State hosted three notable quarterbacks during the transfer portal window: Auburn’s Ashton Daniels, Florida’s DJ Lagway, and UNLV’s Anthony Colandrea.
Lagway and Colandrea both left Tallahassee without committing. Reports indicated that financial terms played a significant role in those outcomes. The Seminoles ultimately pivoted to Daniels, who enrolled in January and won the starting job over Kevin Sperry during the spring.
Colandrea later confirmed how close he came to choosing Florida State.
“I was leaning that way,” Colandrea said. “Honestly, I almost did go to Florida State.”
The St. Petersburg native had made FSU his first visit, drawn by the chance to play closer to home. After leaving without a commitment, he visited Georgia Tech and eventually landed at Nebraska.
Lagway, the former five-star and one-time Florida starter, also visited but ultimately signed with Baylor, his father’s alma mater.
Why This Matters
Quarterback decisions in the portal era often come down to a combination of scheme fit, playing-time guarantees, and NIL. Florida State’s choice of Daniels over higher-profile or higher-production options raised questions during the offseason.
Daniels has since worked to silence those doubts. He earned the starting role in the spring and, at the end of fall camp, was selected to “break the rock” — a Mike Norvell tradition reserved for a player who stood out through the month of preparation.
Key Details Fans Need to Know
Daniels arrived with 37 career games and 23 starts across stops at Stanford and Auburn. In limited action at Auburn in 2025 he showed dual-threat ability, including a strong finish against Vanderbilt and Alabama.
Colandrea had just completed a productive season at UNLV under Dan Mullen, throwing for 3,459 yards and 23 touchdowns while adding 649 rushing yards and 10 scores. He was named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year.
Lagway brought elite physical tools and five-star pedigree but was coming off an inconsistent 2025 campaign at Florida.
By selecting Daniels, Florida State prioritized experience, scheme familiarity, and a more manageable financial commitment.
What Happens Next
Daniels will make his first start for the Seminoles in the season opener against New Mexico State on August 29. How quickly he builds chemistry with the skill players and protects the football will go a long way toward determining whether the portal decision looks like the right one in hindsight.
The “what if” scenarios involving Colandrea or Lagway will linger only if Daniels struggles. Strong early play would quickly close that conversation.
The Bigger Picture
Florida State has turned to the transfer portal for its starting quarterback in consecutive seasons. The latest search illustrated both the opportunities and the complications of the modern portal — multiple high-level options, competing financial demands, and the need to move decisively.
Daniels has earned the trust of the coaching staff and, based on the rock-breaking honor, the respect of his teammates. The ultimate evaluation will come on Saturdays.
FAQ Section
Who did Florida State consider at quarterback in the portal? Ashton Daniels (Auburn), DJ Lagway (Florida), and Anthony Colandrea (UNLV) were the primary options hosted for visits.
Did Anthony Colandrea almost commit to FSU? Yes. He later said he was leaning toward Florida State and almost made the decision.
Why did Florida State choose Ashton Daniels? Financial terms with the other options and Daniels’ experience and dual-threat skill set factored into the decision.
Has Ashton Daniels won over the team? Yes. He won the starting job in the spring and was chosen to break the rock at the end of fall camp.
Where did the other quarterbacks land? Colandrea transferred to Nebraska. Lagway signed with Baylor.
Reader Question
Do you think Florida State made the right call by landing Ashton Daniels, or would you have preferred one of the other options they evaluated?
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