The Florida Gators are turning heads across the college football landscape, and the reason is simple: star quarterback DJ Lagway. After a strong finish to the 2024 season, the Gators have carried that momentum through the offseason. Now this Florida team, led by head coach Billy Napier, is in a position to make serious noise in the SEC.
Florida’s resurgence isn’t just local hype; national commentators are now taking notice. In a notable recent appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit singled out DJ Lagway as a player poised for superstardom.
Herbstreit highlighted that Lagway, after taking over as starter midway through 2024, quickly impressed the football world with his play and leadership. In the modern climate of NIL and the transfer portal, Herbstreit noted, it’s would have been easy for the Gators players to lose focus after a slow start to 2024. But Lagway’s performance and perseverance have made him “the guy you’re talking about in October” in terms of a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender.
While established names such as Arch Manning, Garrett Nussmeier, and others are mainstays on early Heisman watch lists, Lagway’s odds are now squarely in the mix, according to odds from FoxSports.com. Despite not being the favorite, the consensus is that his stellar close to the previous season and his rare skill set should make him a very strong candidate.
The general view is that Lagway’s combination of physical talent and emerging leadership provides a foundation for a breakout Heisman campaign if he can cut down on turnovers and maintain the efficiency he showed down the stretch.
One of the reasons for optimism is Lagway’s outstanding statistics. Using metrics such as yards per attempt and adjusted yards per attempt (which factors in touchdowns and interceptions), Lagway outperformed peers like LeNorris Sellers of South Carolina and Garrett Nussmeier of LSU during his time as Florida’s starter.
You’ll notice that Lagway’s numbers display a slightly larger gap between his yards per attempt and adjusted yards per attempt This reflects some interception struggles that Lagway experienced. A full offseason as the starter should resolve those issues. As his interception rate drops, the spread between the two efficiency metrics should narrow (meaning Lagway’s Adjusted Yards Per Attempt will rise even higher).
The main challenge facing both Lagway and the Florida Gators in 2025 is consistency. The SEC remains as unforgiving as ever, and even a single off-day can result in a loss. With the expanded College Football Playoff, there is a slightly larger margin for error, but three or more losses will almost certainly keep any team out of contention. The onus is on Lagway to maintain high-level play week in and week out. He must get better at protecting the football while still making the electrifying plays he’s become known for.
Ultimately, this coming season is crucial not just for Lagway but for the entire Florida program. With Napier’s tenure at a pivotal point, the alignment of elite quarterback play and program momentum has the Gators dreaming of playoff contention and, potentially, a Heisman celebration.
If Lagway can maintain a high level of efficiency, avoid costly mistakes, and continue elevating those around him, the Gators could have a special 2025 campaign. As optimism floods Gainesville, all signs point to one of the most anticipated seasons for Florida football in years.
Disclaimer: The content of this article was originally published as a YouTube video on the SMI College Football Show YouTube channel. With AI assistance, the publisher of the video created this article based on the content of that video.
