Five-star Florida QB commit DJ Lagway earns his fifth star amid a record-setting senior season
DJ Lagway has been exceptional throughout his senior season. Now, the records, the accolades, and post-season glory are following suit.
The latest comes in the form of a fifth star allotted from On3, which now tabs the Florida-committed quarterback as the No. 15 player in the country. This fall, Lagway lifted his Willis (Texas) Wildkats to the program’s first-ever 10-win season and also captured an outright district title in the process.
Through 13 games as a senior this season, including two playoff victories over the past two Friday nights, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Lagway has amassed more than 3,800 yards through the air while completing better than 75 percent of his passes. After accounting for five touchdowns through the air in the area round of the Texas Class 6A playoffs, Lagway is up to 56 passing touchdowns on the season and 74 total on the year.
Lagway will lead his Wildkats against defending 5A Division 1 state champ DeSoto on Friday in San Antonio’s Alamodome. The five-star QB is one touchdown shy of matching the Texas state record for touchdowns in a single season (Garland’s Cergio Perez, 57, 2021). His 71 total scores on the season is seven shy of Arizona Cardinals QB and former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray, who set the bar with 78 during the 2014 season at Allen.
“DJ is a special human being, a special talent, and I love the fact he plays for us,” Willis HC Trent Miller told On3 this month. “There’s not a better QB in the nation. Put it on the record. What he’s had to overcome with health over the course of his high school career … the negatives, people calling him overrated, critics … he never wavered. He was what he’s all about.”
“All the people doubting him,” Miller continued, “Thank you, you only helped him be the player he is now. He’s a phenomenal human being and a special QB.”
Lagway is the face of Florida’s fifth-ranked 2024 recruiting class
Lagway is the face of the Gators’ 2024 recruiting class, which checks in as No. 5 in the country, according to the On3 Industry Team Rankings.
Lagway has been a top target for Billy Napier and this staff since the jump. He’ll arrive in The Swamp officially in January.
“I’m excited to get there and learn from Coach Napier. He’s a helluva coach, and I can’t wait to get there and buy into his system,” Lagway told On3. “I like how he’s adapted to his QBs, using a different system for Anthony Richardson, now Graham Mertz, and fitting the QB into the right system.”
“We have a lot of great guys coming in,” he added on the Gators’ 2024 haul. “We might need a couple more pieces to make it perfect. It’s great guys right now and I can’t wait to get there and play with them.”
Lagway has continued to take the right steps in his development
After a statement senior season, Lagway ascends to the No. 2-ranked QB in the On300 for this cycle.
It’s been thrilling to watch the development of Lagway over the years. As an underclassman, his film showcased explosive plays and rare physical traits for not only a quarterback, but any position. After absorbing a new offense at Willis (Texas) going into his junior year, Lagway made a massive leap forward with his decision-making and ability to orchestrate the offense.
This analyst was on hand for Lagway’s star-studded clash against the Conroe (Texas) Oak Ridge defense which, features two of the nation’s top 25 players, who are both committed to Georgia. Lagway was superb extending plays and delivering accurate throws all over the field — under duress and also in critical moments. He was phenomenal despite pressure in his face for a good portion of the night. The Florida-committed QB was able to throw on-point with defenders chasing him and as they made contact. He delivered catchable balls, fit balls into tight windows, and also came through with timely touchdowns on the ground to start and end the contest.
Big-picture on the season, Lagway has already lifted the Willis program to heights never before seen. He’s well over 4,000 yards passing and 800 rushing. The future Gator is averaging north of 10 yards per rush, and choosing his spots carefully. His 71 total touchdowns compare very favorably to only six interceptions. He not only is the source of big plays but protects the football.
Affectionately, Lagway is known as the Mayor of Willis for lifting not only this high school football program, but this tight-knit community up in grand fashion. It’s easy to take stock in the statistics and to consider the development at the position, but there’s also Lagway’s work ethic and approach behind the scenes. As a senior, it’s all fallen into place. Lagway, the No. 2 QB in the On300, has franchise QB written all over him, in this analyst’s option.