Billy Napier breaks down DJ Lagway's considerable impact in recruiting

Florida made a gargantuan surge up the team recruiting rankings in the last month or so, settling in with the No. 11 class on early signing day. And quarterback DJ Lagway was a big part of it.

How?

Well, the talented gunslinger’s presence alone was enough to sell several recruits on the opportunity to play with the Gators. And, potentially, play for championships. Such is Lagway’s talent.

“Well No. 1 I think nowadays you’re recruiting about four groups of people. So player retention’s a big piece of the puzzle,” coach Billy Napier said on the Andy & Ari On3 show. “So the first thing you’ve got to do is you’ve got to go secure all these good players that we have on our team that are coming back.

“And I do think the DJ and the way he showed promise this year and the way he competed and the production and his leadership, the way he’s connected with his teammates, I think that’s going to help us retain players.”

Lagway led the team to wins in four of his last five appearances, getting better as he went. He’s not putting up absurd numbers just yet — 1,610 yards passing and 11 touchdowns, against seven interceptions — but he has the occasional throw that makes your jaw drop.

He can fling it downfield with the best of them.

“And there’s no doubt this ’25 group, they’re excited about him and want to be a part of what we’re doing here, sure,” Napier said.

Lagway figures to be around at least for another year, if not more. After all, he’s a true freshman this year, so he’ll be in college for at least two more years before a likely jump to the NFL.

That gives recruits two years to play with him. That’s significant.

Now, with early signing day in the books, Lagway will turn his attention to the transfer portal, where he’ll look to recruit several top-notch players.

“I think we try to include as many players as possible with portal recruitment,” Napier said. “We not only want to find out — we know the physical part, we’ve done all the evaluations, but do they fit? Will they get along with the guys? That’s an area where last year I thought we did really good work. Not only really productive players, but guys who brought more than just talent to the team.”