Florida Gators commit DJ Lagway unlocks On3 Industry five-star status for second time

On Monday afternoon, the 2024 On300 rankings were updated and featured six of the Gators’ seven commitments. The highest-ranked prospect in the class is DJ Lagway, who is labeled the No. 3 quarterback and No. 20 prospect regardless of position.

Now, the Willis (Texas) standout is a five-star prospect in the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking. That is because the latest rankings update included an increase from 20 five-star prospects to 25. The number of five-stars in the On3 Industry Ranking typically increases as the cycle progresses, as industry scouts continue to gather additional data and information along with having more opportunities to scout.

The On3 Industry Ranking is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services. It’s the industry’s most advanced, complete and unbiased measurement.

The On3 Industry Ranking weights the primary recruiting media services based on past performance data, and overall scouting and recruiting coverage investment.

For football, the algorithm is weighted as follows: On3 (35%), 247Sports (35%), Rivals.com (20%) and ESPN (10%). Prior to launching the On3 Industry Ranking, all four recruiting services were equally weighted.

Billy Napier’s program checks all the boxes

A dual-sport star who also plans to play baseball at Florida, Lagway pulled himself off the market back in December. He possesses additional offers from Clemson, Texas A&M, USC, LSU, Georgia, Alabama, Oregon, Oklahoma and Notre Dame among others.

Lagway, who has made seven trips to the Swamp, checks in with an NIL Valuation of $622K.

“I knew on my last visit up there,” Lagway told On3 when he committed. “I had a really great time with my whole family with me. We all enjoyed it and I love what coach Napier is doing up there in Gainesville and I’m excited to continue to see what he does.

“Florida checks all the boxes, from the depth chart and the way that Anthony Richardson played this season. I love the offense that Coach Napier brings to the table and I feel like I fit in perfectly in there like Anthony Richardson did last year. We play similarly and I know I can grow and develop as more of a player and a person off the field at Florida.”

CLICK HERE to view the Gators’ commitment list from the Industry Comparison layout.

On3 Biography of DJ Lagway

Already thought of as one of the elite playmakers in the Lone Star State, DJ Lagway developed into one of the top quarterbacks in the entire country during his junior season of high school. Lagway did that by embracing a coaching change going into the 2022 season.

Lagway bought into the new offensive system from Trent Miller – a more wide-open passing attack that relies on the quarterback to make quick decisions. The hard work paid off as Lagway threw for 2,081 yards and 24 scores in 2022. He also completed 67% of his passes, which was up from 55% in his sophomore season.

“The freakish stats weren’t there. DJ was concerned about being labeled as an athlete and being recruited by his potential,” Miller told On3. “He wanted to focus on his craft as a quarterback. I’ve been coaching for 15 years, and he’s the most talented quarterback and most quality young man I’ve been around. He’s the whole package if you put it all together. I’ve never been around a kid who wants it more for himself and also his whole team.”

Away from football, Lagway enjoys playing basketball and baseball. He plans to major in sports medicine in college. Lagway’s parents are Nikita and John Derek Lagway. Lagway’s father played running back for Baylor from 1997-2001 under coaches Dave Roberts and Kevin Steele.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.