It's safe to say expectations were extremely high for Five Star Plus+ quarterback DJ Lagway when he stepped foot on Florida 's campus in 2024. He was the No. 3 ranked player in his class, and was expected to succeed quarterback Graham Mertz as the future of the program.
Following Mertz's season-ending injury in Florida's sixth game of the season (against Tennessee ), however, the true freshman was propelled to the team's starting role. He shined across the Gators' final six games of the season, leading the program to a 5-1 record with two ranked victories (No. 9 Ole Miss and No. 22 LSU ) and a 33-8 drumming of future Floridahead coach Jon Sumrall and Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl.
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Heading into last season, Lagway was expected to take the next step and evolve into not only a superstar, but a true Heisman contender in Gainesville. However, things just didn't pan out for the Willis, Texas native. Lagway, who entered the season with a few nagging injuries, was held to just 222 yards passing in Florida's second game of the season against USF . That resulted in an 18-16 loss to the Bulls, which marked the first time ever Floridahad lost to South Florida(previously 3-0).
Things didn't get better for Lagway the following week. He tossed five interceptions in a 20-10 loss to No. 3 LSU. He would go on to play in all 12 games for Floridalast season, where he totaled 2,264 yards passing with 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. The Gators finished at 4-8, and fired head coach Billy Napier seven games into the season.
Following the season, Lagway entered the transferportal in search of a new opportunity. He landed at Baylor , where he will play for head coach Dave Aranda this season. He'll open his tenure as a Bear on Saturday against Auburn and first-year head coach Alex Golesh , who led USFto the win over the Gators last season.
Ahead of that game, however, Floridalegend Tim Tebow opened up about Lagway's decision to depart the program. He proclaimed that the quarterback 'needed an opportunity', and could 'play to the best of his ability' thanks to a change in scenery.
"I think DJ needed a new opportunity," Tebow said on 'The Paul Finebaum Show.' "There was so much pressure on him. There was not enough help around him in Gainesville. When things started to spiral, there was not enough people stepping up, being able to take some of the blame. I think DJ is someone that I'll root for, because he's a very likable young man.
"He's a very good young man. He's a pretty talented young man. I just think there was way too much pressure on him to start. He needed a new environment. I think he'll play with a lot more joy, and I think when he does that, I think he'll have an opportunity to play to the best of his ability."
Lagway has full reign of a Baylorprogram that is coming off a disappointing 5-7 record. With both the quarterback and head coach Dave Arandain need of a big-time bounce back season, it's hard to understate how important Saturday's game against Auburnis for the duo.
Opening the season with a win over an SEC program could be monstrous for the perception of Lagway, Aranda, and the BaylorBears heading into back-to-back buy-games. This could potentially set up Baylorheading into Big 12 play against Colorado on Sept. 26 with an unblemished 3-0 record. Saturday's game against Auburnat Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta kicks off at 3:30 PM (ET) on ABC.
