DJ Lagway’s National Spotlight Grows As USA TODAY Sports Ranks Him Among Top Quarterbacks In College Football’s Elite Programs
As the 2025 college football season approaches, all eyes are on the quarterbacks expected to lead their teams to conference titles and potential College Football Playoff berths. USA TODAY Sports recently released its highly anticipated rankings of the starting quarterbacks from the top 25 teams in the nation, offering fans, analysts, and insiders a glimpse into which signal-callers are best positioned to shine this season. One name generating significant buzz is Florida’s DJ Lagway, who has earned a place in the rankings despite being a true freshman and having yet to play a collegiate snap. That inclusion speaks volumes not only about Lagway’s talent but also about how he is perceived on the national stage.
Lagway’s inclusion among established starters and veteran quarterbacks highlights the level of anticipation surrounding his arrival in Gainesville. As one of the most heralded recruits in Florida Gators history, the five-star prospect from Willis, Texas, committed to Florida with the promise of being the future face of the program. Now, with the season fast approaching, the future may arrive sooner than expected. USA TODAY Sports placing him in the quarterback conversation with Heisman contenders and returning all-conference starters suggests that expectations are not only internal within the Gators’ program—they’re widespread.
For a freshman quarterback to even be ranked in such a list is rare. Most first-year players are expected to sit, learn, and develop. But DJ Lagway isn’t most players. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 230 pounds, Lagway is a physical specimen with elite-level arm strength, excellent mobility, and a high football IQ that belies his age. During his senior season in high school, he threw for over 4,000 yards, ran for over 1,000 more, and accounted for more than 60 total touchdowns, all while showing tremendous poise and leadership. Recruiting analysts have called him a generational talent, and USA TODAY’s quarterback rankings seem to echo that sentiment.
According to the ranking, Lagway lands just outside the top 15—an impressive position given his lack of college experience. He is ranked above several returning starters from Power Five programs, including quarterbacks from traditional powerhouse schools. That placement suggests that Lagway’s ceiling and potential have already captured the respect of national media, and it may be an early indicator that Florida’s offense could be more explosive than many expect this season.
Critics might argue that it’s premature to rank Lagway alongside proven talents, but there’s a growing belief among college football insiders that Lagway isn’t just physically ready—he’s mentally and emotionally equipped to lead Florida’s offense right away. Reports from spring camp and offseason workouts have been overwhelmingly positive. Coaches have praised his work ethic, command of the playbook, and his ability to connect with teammates. Veteran players have gone on record saying that Lagway “feels like a leader already,” and he’s been seen consistently taking first-team reps in practice.
What makes Lagway’s situation unique is the context in which he enters Florida’s quarterback room. The Gators have struggled in recent seasons to find stability at the position. A rotating door of quarterbacks, including transfers and unsteady starters, has hampered offensive cohesion. Napier’s system relies on a quarterback who can make quick decisions, extend plays, and challenge defenses vertically. In DJ Lagway, he may finally have the dual-threat quarterback perfectly tailored for his scheme. USA TODAY’s ranking reflects the possibility that Lagway isn’t just a name to watch in the future—he could be ready to compete right now.
Lagway’s ranking also puts him in a rare position in the SEC. While established names like Georgia’s Carson Beck, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, and Texas’ Quinn Ewers occupy top spots, Lagway’s ranking puts him squarely in the conversation as one of the conference’s most intriguing talents. If he starts early and performs to his potential, he could quickly become one of the league’s breakout stars and thrust Florida back into the national spotlight. The SEC, known for its demanding defenses and rabid fan bases, will be an immediate test, but Lagway’s composure and playmaking ability have many believing he’ll rise to the occasion.
USA TODAY’s rankings typically consider not only past performance and statistical data, but also context—coaching, supporting cast, system fit, and upside. In Lagway’s case, it’s the upside that drives his ranking. Florida has reloaded at wide receiver and tight end, giving him weapons to work with. The offensive line has seen both development and transfer improvements, providing better protection than in years past. And with a deep running back rotation, Lagway won’t be asked to carry the offense single-handedly, allowing him to ease into the pace of SEC football while still making big-time plays.
This kind of national attention isn’t new to Lagway. As a high school star, he was regularly featured on ESPN, 247Sports, and Rivals, and was the subject of numerous recruiting documentaries. His NIL value has also skyrocketed, making him one of the most marketable freshmen in the country. Florida’s fan base has already embraced him as a potential program-saver, and his jersey sales are expected to be among the highest on the team—even before he takes his first official snap. While that level of pressure might affect other young players, Lagway has repeatedly shown a unique ability to block out noise and focus on performance.
Napier’s decision to potentially start Lagway this season—should that indeed become the case—won’t be based on hype. It’ll be based on a real assessment of readiness. And if Lagway ends up not starting immediately, his presence will still loom large over the position. Either way, Florida’s offense is being built around his skillset, and he will be at the center of the team’s identity sooner rather than later.
USA TODAY’s quarterback rankings are a conversation starter, but they’re also a reflection of how much faith exists in young talent shaking up the traditional power structure. Lagway is part of a new generation of quarterbacks—mobile, poised, confident, and equipped with a full understanding of modern offensive schemes. He’s as comfortable running zone reads as he is throwing deep posts, and he has the personality that coaches trust and teammates rally around.
Beyond the rankings and projections, Lagway’s story is one of preparation meeting opportunity. He chose Florida over other schools not just for tradition or exposure, but because he believed in the long-term vision Napier pitched. That vision is now coming into focus, and with a solid roster, a reenergized fan base, and national media attention, Florida football appears to be moving into a new phase—one that DJ Lagway will likely lead.
If Lagway lives up to the expectations set by this ranking, the Gators could surprise many in 2025. They have the talent to compete in the SEC East, the schedule to make noise nationally, and now, possibly, the quarterback to bring it all together. Whether he becomes an instant star or develops over the course of the season, DJ Lagway’s presence has already changed the narrative in Gainesville.
As preseason magazines roll out their predictions, and media days stir debate, one thing is clear—DJ Lagway is no longer just a promising recruit. He’s a top-ranked quarterback by one of the most respected sports publications in the country, and that means the spotlight is squarely on him. For Florida fans hungry for relevance and resurgence, that spotlight may be exactly what they’ve been waiting for.
