"I had schools hitting me up all day and night. "It was crazy," Lagway recounted of the final weeks before signing day. The full-court press from various Power-Five programs at the end of the process was not something Lagway had anticipated heading into the final stretch, and while he was keeping an open mind to what others had to say, he never saw himself as someone who was wavering in his longstanding commitment to the Florida football program. He also led the team in rushing yards (957) and touchdowns (16) and was named District 13-6A Player of the Year, having led Willis to the first 10-win season in program history.Īs Signing Day loomed, multiple programs, including the likes of Clemson, Texas A&M, USC, continued their attempts to sway the talented signal caller late, though they ultimately proved fruitless. Lagway completed 72.1 percent of his passes and averaged 354.2 yards per game. The 230-pound senior quarterback passed for 4,604 yards and a 6A state record 58 touchdowns this past season, leading the Wildkats to a 12-1 record, their first district title since 2002 and a trip to the 6A-Division II regional final. Lagway secured the award over 2026 USC quarterback commit Julian Lewis and Alabama quarterback signee Julian Sayin. In January, Lagway was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year, arguably the nation's most prestigious award for high school athletes, which recognizes the nation’s most outstanding high school student-athlete for their athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character. He loves the game, and that was very apparent out there today.” Just to see him smiling and having a good time. "But finally to see him in a football setting and just let him go play. But probably the best thing about him is just the work ethic, the desire to learn, the perspective and understanding and awareness that he knows he's got a lot of work to do to get better," Napier said Thursday.
He's got unique ability – the size, the athleticism, the arm talent.
"I see a kid who loves to play and he’s fun to coach. Here's a look at Lagway's routes-on-air session, which lasted approximately 18 minutes, in front of credentialed media:įollowing Lagway's first practice session, UF head coach Billy Napier discussed the signal-caller's inaugural practice session. With Thursday marking the start of spring camp for the Florida football program, freshman quarterback DJ Lagway took the practice field for the first time.