Freshman DJ Lagway has begun his first collegiate year as a Gator and is quickly receiving praise. The highly touted five star from Willis, Texas is looking to find an immediate role on the 2024 Gators team as fall camp quickly approaches. In his senior year of high school Lagway broke numerous records in the state of Texas, including the 6A single season passing record. He threw for 4,605 yards and 59 touchdowns as well as rushing for 953 yards and 16 touchdowns, earning him the 2023 Gatorade National Player of the Year.
Lagway is under a very experienced quarterback in Graham Mertz, who is coming back for his 6th year of college football. Napier discussed the impact Mertz has and the leadership he brings to the table at SEC Media Days, specifically with the development of Lagway.
“He’s getting a chance [Lagway] to observe, in my opinion, one of the best quarterbacks in the country who goes about it the right way in Graham Mertz,” Napier said on Lagway playing under Mertz.
In December of 2023, Mertz discussed the opportunity to mentor younger players throughout his time at Florida.
“Down the road I’d be able to really mentor the whole team across the board. I’m looking forward to that because I’m the old guy now,” Mertz said. “That’s kind of my job, leading these guys and mentoring these guys and I’ve had a lot of different experiences in my life, especially in the college football world, that not a lot of guys have and that’s one thing that I can truly apply to everybody, all these young guys coming in.”
Mertz is primed for that opportunity in 2024 as five-star QB DJ Lagway is set to take on his first collegiate season.
“He showed up ready to work,” Napier said on Lagway. “I can remember having a conversation with him after the spring game. We have our IDP meeting, and we’re sitting there in the cafeteria. He’s sitting there eating dinner, I sit down and eat with him and we’re talking about Graham coming back and how I told him that was going to be the best thing that ever happened to him, and he said, Coach, I get that now after going through the entire first semester.”
Lagway shined in Florida’s Orange and Blue Spring game, throwing for 173 yards and two touchdowns in his debut. He was also able to show off his athleticism on numerous running plays. Napier believes Lagway has improved since stepping foot on campus in January.
“If you go back to some of the throwing sessions in January and then you watch the spring game, he continues to improve,” Napier said on Lagway. “That’s what I appreciate about DJ. He wants to get better. He’s a worker.”
“DJ has got a chance to make our team better, and we can never forget he’s one play away from running out there. Critical coming days for DJ in his development and getting ready to do his job for our team,” Napier said.
If Lagway continues to grow at a rapid pace, he has a great shot to make an immediate impact for the Gators in their 2024 gauntlet of a schedule.
Story by: Reid Robinson