Envisioning Roles for Florida's 2024 Transfers: QB Clay Millen

How might transfer quarterback Clay Millen make an impact for Florida in 2024, and perhaps beyond?

Florida leaned into the winter transfer portal to upgrade its roster for the second offseason in a row, securing a dozen college football veterans to bolster the Gators' roster entering the 2024 offseason.

All Gators is projecting roles for each transfer acquisition. Next, we'll cover Colorado State quarterback transfer Clay Millen, who pledged to Florida in January after two seasons with the Rams and one, his freshman year, at Nevada. 

The consensus three-star passer from the class of 2021 redshirted his rookie season with the Wolf Pack, but made two appearances that year before joining the Rams as a transfer during the 2022 offseason, following Nevada head coach Jay Norvell to Colorado State. 

Familiarity served Millen well in his first year with the Rams, as Norvell named him the team's Week 1 starting quarterback. 

After taking 24 sacks over the first four games of the season, a throwing arm injury suffered against Sacramento State knocked Millen out of the middle stretch of the season, two matchups and a bye. Over 10 starts in total, Millen completed 169-of-234 passes for 1,910 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Although he finished 2022 with negative 28 rushing yards due to taking 53 sacks, Pro Football Focus credits Millen for generating 327 yards over 44 scrambles, good for 7.4 yards per attempt.

But Millen couldn't hold onto the role in 2023. He was benched after starting in Colorado State's Week 1, 50-24 loss to Washington State, with the Rams scoring just three points with Millen behind center in the game. 

Millen didn't take the field for the Rams again, and entered the NCAA transfer portal in late Dec. 2023. He committed to Florida for his two remaining years of college eligibility. 

Following reserve quarterback Jack Miller III's graduation and departure from Florida this offseason, Millen is primed to occupy the vacated role of depth quarterback, a passer who could step into the lineup in a pinch if Gators starting signal-caller Graham Mertz goes down with an injury in 2024.

Millen won't be Florida's only option in such an event, however. 

Prized class of 2024 signee and five-star prospect, DJ Lagway, is not only considered the Gators' quarterback of the future. He expects to play during his first year in the program, based on conversations he's had with the UF coaching staff.

"They'll try to get me in every game," Lagway told reporters at the Under Armour All-America Game in December, referencing his anticipated role as a freshman. "That's what they say." 

Most recruiting analysts believe Lagway is prepared for his incoming opportunities. MaxPreps and Gatorade's National High School Player of the Year in 2023, Lagway enrolled at Florida in January after scoring 74 total touchdowns as a senior at Willis (Texas) High. 

The trio of Millen, Lagway and Mertz — the latter having returned for a second season at Florida and sixth of college football — will comprise UF's scholarship quarterback room this year, with walk-ons Parker Leise, Paul Kessler and Aidan Warner offering practice and emergency arms. 

Find All Gators' previous transfer role projections, for defensive back Trikweze Bridges, defensive lineman Joey Slackman, offensive lineman Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, wide receiver Chimere Dike and edge rusher Brien Taylor Jr., below.

Envisioning Roles for Florida's 2024 Transfers: DB Trikweze Bridges

Envisioning Roles for Florida's 2024 Transfers: DL Joey Slackman

Envisioning Roles for Florida's 2024 Transfers: OL Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson

Florida Secures Wisconsin WR Transfer Chimere Dike

Envisioning Roles for Florida's 2024 Transfers: EDGE Brien Taylor Jr.

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