Scouting Journals for DJ Lagway

Thickly-built quarterback prospect with one of the better combinations of arm talent and athleticism in the 2024 cycle. Has measured at around 6-foot-2.5, 230 pounds with a 9.5-inch hand. Tests as a good athlete in the combine setting. Flashes palpable arm strength, with the the ability to make throws to every level of the field. The ball pops out of his hand. Hits far hash throws with relative ease. Arm talent shines when forced to throw from multiple arm slots or off-platform. Makes some very impressive reactive plays. Efficient with his movements in the pocket and comfortable working outside the pocket. Owns some of the best mobility among top 2024 quarterbacks. Has quick feet and is able to extend plays and pick up yards on the ground. Ripped off a number of big gains on scrambles as a junior. His size and athleticism also provide the makings of a dangerous between the tackles threat on designed quarterback runs. Productive in a smaller sample as a junior, passing for 2,081 yards at 10.4 yards per attempt for 24 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Rushed for 517 yards and 7 scores on 50 carries. Shows some outstanding flashes, but needs to be more consistent on a throw to throw and week to week basis. Accuracy and performance can waver at times, with a wider than desired variance from game to game. Has yet to lead his team to a winning record entering his senior season. A touted two-sport athlete who has also received multiple offers as a baseball player.

DJ Lagway finished No. 2 overall in the 2024 On300. He posted the best senior season of any 2024 quarterback – by a fair margin. The Florida signee exploded in his final prep campaign, completing 72.1% of his passes for 4,634 yards (11.52 yards per attempt) and 58 touchdowns against eight picks. He also looked like the top run threat among top 100 quarterbacks, rushing for 957 yards and 16 touchdowns. Lagway did everything for his Willis (Texas) High team, accounting for an eye-popping 5.7 touchdowns per game while leading the Wildkats to their best season in school history. A strong-armed passer at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, Lagway excels at making plays outside of structure. His ability to make individual plays as a passer and runner – especially when things break down – is the best in the cycle. Lagway will need to continue to improve his mechanics and accuracy to hit his ceiling, but the upside and signs of improvement were apparent as a senior.

DJ Lagway flashed his big arm on each day at the Elite 11 Finals. The Florida pledge easily drove the ball to all levels and had two solid showings earning Top Performer status on the first two days. Lagway was arguably the best off-platform passer during drill work on Day 1. He showed some very nice arm dexterity and rotational ability, drawing on his background as a baseball player. Lagway also had a solid showing Day 2. He didn’t have a great 7-on-7 session as one of the last quarterbacks to go on Friday – completing 9 of 17 passes for zero touchdowns and two interceptions. While he has plus pure arm strength and the ability to throw from multiple platforms, Lagway will need to refine his mechanics to improve his accuracy. He has a somewhat unconventional throwing motion that can make for errant throws from time to time. Still, we got to see the Willis (Texas) High standout’s upside in Redondo Beach.

DJ Lagway checked in as the new No. 2 quarterback and moved up to No. 8 overall. in the midseason 2024 On300 rankings update. The 6-foot-2.5, 225-pounder has been one of the top physical talents at the position for most of the cycle, but we’ve seen him take an encouraging jump as a junior thus far. Lagway has flashed one of the stronger arms in the cycle, with the ability to drive the ball downfield and deliver from different arm slots and from off-platform. He’s shown some creativity as a playmaker and is a physical, explosive presence in the run game. Lagway is having one of the best junior seasons among top quarterback prospects. He’s completed 69.3 percent of his passes for 1,874 yards (11.2 yards per attempt) and 22 touchdowns against five interceptions, while also rushing for 441 yards (12.6 yards per carry) and seven more scores. While Lagway can continue improving his consistency on a game by game basis, we view his upside to be as high as any prospect in the cycle as he continues to gain experience.

Derek Lagway Jr. orchestrated an extraordinary season debut with more than 445 yards of total offense (343 yards, 6 TD passing and 102 yards, 1 TD rushing). Lagway completed 75 percent of his attempts — his first time playing in a new offensive scheme that was installed late in the spring. He’s immensely talented with a live arm and the ability to attack vertically, but Lagway impressed his poise and command of the offense, the ability to extend plays and navigate through his reads and execute exceptionally. He threaded the needle a few times, to a tee. He’s got the makings of an elite QB.