Florida’s Lagway Named FWAA Freshman All-America

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway was named to the Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America team.

Lagway Makes Mark

UF’s quarterback lived up to his five-star expectations (the No. 1 quarterback in the country per 247Sports) coming out of high school. He threw for 1,915 yards while adding 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions. The Willis, Texas, standout went 6-1 in the games he started in 2024, including a victory in the Gasparilla Bowl. Lagway tied former UF signal-caller Chris Leak for most wins as a freshman. Leak was the last Gators quarterback to make FWAA’s All-America list (2003).

FWAA Freshman All-American >> @DerekLagway pic.twitter.com/RxOoHpxIB0

— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) January 14, 2025

Lagway led the Gators to three straight victories to close the regular season. Florida notched wins against then-No. 22 LSU, No. 9 Ole Miss and FSU to end November.

Redshirt senior Graham Mertz, who began the season as the Gators’ starting quarterback, suffered a torn ACL against Tennessee on Oct. 12, thrusting Lagway into the starting role.

Lagway’s 2025 Season Looms

UF’s star freshman may still have room to improve in 2025 despite the team’s two leading receivers, seniors Elijhah Badger and Chimere Dike, declaring for the NFL Draft. Sophomore receivers Eugene Wilson III and Aiden Mizell are set to return next season and UF has added more weapons. Redshirt junior J. Michael Sturdivant transferred in from UCLA. In his four years in college, which included a two-year stint with California, Sturdivant recorded 123 catches for 1,667 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The Gators will also have a trio of highly-touted freshman receivers entering the fold in five-star Dallas Wilson, four-star Vernell Brown and three-star Naeshaun Montgomery.

Lagway has also been named a freshman All-American by 247Sports, On3 and PFF.