DJ Lagway earns another freshman All-American honor

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway continues to earn accolades from his standout play in 2024. Tuesday, the Football Writers Association of America named him to its Freshman All-America Team.

Per an official Gators release, “The last Gators to be named to the FWAA Freshman All-America Team were Jawaan Taylor and David Reese II in 2016. The last quarterback to be named to the FWAA’s list was Chris Leak in 2003, and the most recent quarterback to be named to a Freshman All-America Team by any of the five current NCAA-recognized publications for consensus and unanimous distinction was Tim Tebow in 2006 (Sporting News).”

DJ Lagway posted strong numbers in 2024

Lagway also has been named a freshman All-American by several other organizations, notably On3, ESPN and PFF.  Last season, he completed 59.9 percent of his throws for 1,915 yards, 12 touchdowns and 9 interceptions while going 6-1 as the starter. Beyond those numbers, his emergence energized the program, possibly saved his head coach’s job and galvanized a hungry Florida fan base.

Once 1-2 and seemingly stuck in neutral, the Gators finished 8-5 and closed the season with four straight wins, including a bowl blowout over Tulane. Florida posted its first winning season since 2020.

“It’s easy to see why he’s had so much success,” Florida co-offensive coordinator Russ Callaway said. “And he’s going to continue because he’s one of the rare guys at an early age who has been hungry and has laser-like focus and knows what he wants to accomplish. And he doesn’t talk about it. He just does it. You’ll go up (to the team facility) multiple times throughout the weekend, early morning, late at night and you’re not surprised to see that guy up there. And that’s why he’s had that success. He’s phenomenal.”

Many believe Lagway has a bright future ahead of him

Chimere Dike, Florida’s second-leading receiver in 2024, is confident Lagway will make significant strides this offseason and be even better next season.

“For me personally, Year 1 to Year 2 and Year 2 to Year 3, I think the game slows down a little bit,” Dike said. “I think mentally being able to look back having the offseason to look at what you’ve got to improve and improving on it and working on those things. He’s a super talented player and he does things the right way and he’s going to be a really good player for a long time. He’s one of the best players I’ve been around … The best thing, he has a great head on his shoulders. … He can make some special throws. I think more of the crazy thing with DJ is kind of his off-platform abilities. He can make throws and throw the ball with velocity from unique positions.”

FWAA Freshman All-America Team

OFFENSE
QB DJ Lagway, Florida
QB LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
RB Ahmad Hardy, ULM
RB Bryson Washington, Baylor
WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
WR Bryant Wesco Jr., Clemson
WR Ryan Williams, Alabama
TE Mason Williams, Ohio  
OL Aidan Banfield, North Carolina
OL Tyler Mercer, North Texas
OL Elijah Paige, USC
OL Tyson Ruffins, Nevada
OL Jordan Seaton, Colorado
OL Josiah Thompson, South Carolina

DEFENSE 
DL Jamarioius Brown, Ole Miss
DL Jayden Jackson, Oklahoma
DL Colin Simmons, Texas
DL Dylan Stewart, South Carolina
LB Sammy Brown, Clemson
LB Isaiah Chisom, Oregon State
LB Josiah Trotter, West Virginia
CB OJ Frederique Jr., Miami
CB Ashton Hampton, Clemson
CB Leonard Moore, Notre Dame
S KJ Bolden, Georgia
S Koi Perich, Minnesota
S Zechariah Poyser, Jax State

SPECIALISTS 
K Nolan Hauser, Clemson
P Rhys Dakin, Iowa
KR Samuel Singleton Jr., Florida State
PR Kam Shanks, UAB
AP Isaac Brown, Louisville