Where Does Florida Football’s Lagway Rank Among College Quarterbacks?

Dj Lagway went from being the Florida Gators backup quarterback to a potential Heisman candidate in one season. It is no shock to the college football world that Lagway will be getting the starting job at Florida. Lagway put his name on the map with a stellar end to the 2024 season, but the question stands, where does he rank among all quarterbacks?

NEW: Top 10 College Football QBs via @Andy_Staples

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2024 Season

Lagway started the 2024 season on the bench backing up Graham Mertz. A little under halfway through the season Mertz went down with a torn ACL, crowing Lagway the starting quarterback. But this was not the first time Gator fans saw him in action this season.

DJ started seven games last season, one of those coming week two against Samford. Lagway came out red hot and threw for 456 yards and three touchdowns, while leading the Gators to an easy win. This game caught the eye of fans and players all over the league

Throughout the 2024 season, Lagway threw for 1,915 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Stand Out Skills

All aspects of Lagway’s game is something to be excited about for Gator fans, but in particular his ability to accurately throw the ball down field. He led the nation in completion percentage on throws over 20 yards with 63.8%.

Does Florida sophomore QB DJ Lagway have generational talent? pic.twitter.com/OzH54IOvIU

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Lagway also proved throughout the 2024 season how much of a handful he is to bring down. Shaking off the first, second, and even third defenders sometimes to find the open man downfield is something he did multiple times. Coach Billy Napier loves to talk about how Lagway, “has all the skills you cannot teach.”

Due to a lingering injury last season, Lagway was expected to conserve his legs and not risk injury. Expect to see a large jump in production coming from his rushing ability throughout the 2025 season.

Surrounding Talent

The Gators are expected to have four starting offensive lineman return for the 2025 season. Lagway mentioned last season how crucial and important this O-line was to his success. Running backs Jadan Baugh and Ja’Kobi Jackson are both returning and are expected to take big jumps this season.

At the receiver position, the Gators lost star receivers Elijah Badger and Chimere Dike to the NFL draft. Luckily for the Gators, Tre Wilson is back and Napier has been active in the portal and recruiting. Napier stressed how his newcomers “have hit the ground running,” and are “faster, more explosive.”

Most importantly for Lagway, the Gators needed to find a speedy receiver that is able to get open downfield. Last season, Badger caught the bulk of Lagway’s deep ball passes. If the Gators want Lagway to take that next generational step, this space needs to be filled.

Other Top Quarterbacks

Here are some other quarterbacks expected to take that next big step in 2025:

Lanorris Sellers, South Carolina Gamecocks;

Cade Klubnik, Clemson Tigers;

Arch Manning, Texas Longhorns;

Garrett Nussmeier, LSU Tigers;

John Mateer, Washington State Cougars.

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Looking Ahead

Lagway will play in the annual Blue and Orange spring game on Saturday starting at 1 p.m. No admission fee.