Deshawn Purdie's stay with Florida Football was a short one. The transfer QB from UNC Charlotte had committed to the Gators but, after a change of heart, opted out of his commitment earlier this week.
Purdie has been able to find a new home and took to X to announce where he will play in 2025.
Florida Football: Just Down The Road
Purdie won't be too far from UNC Charlotte as he announced he will be suiting up for Wake Forest this upcoming season.
Florida signed Purdie to be a big-arm option as their backup QB for 2025. After the struggles of Aidan Warner in 2024, it was clear Florida needed to bolster its position. Purdie threw for 1,800 yards and ten touchdowns in 2024 after taking over for former Gator Max Brown mid-season.
However, based on reports that came out from Swamp247, Purdie apparently thought he had a chance to compete for the starter's job in Gainesville. This was obviously never going to be the case unless DJ Lagway suffers a catastrophic injury, and it's unclear where the breakdown in communication between Purdie and Billy Napier came.
Hank Bachmeier was the starting QB for the 4-8 Demon Deacons in 2024, but he is out of eligibility, and thus, the pathway to be the starter at Wake Forest is much more likely than the pathway in Gainesville.
As for the Gators, Warner, Clay Millen, and Tramell Jones will compete for the backup job this spring, though Florida has been poking around at some other options since Purdie left, including former top 100 prospect Harrison Bailey.
#GoDeacs 🎩 pic.twitter.com/1QEzOcMDad
— Deshawn Purdie (@Dpurdie0) January 17, 2025