Florida‘s 2024 season opener Aug. 31 against Miami wasn’t one to remember for Gators fans. The Hurricanes dismantled Florida, 41-17, on national television and in front of top recruits. Though there weren’t many positives for Florida fans to take from that game, something significant happened in the fourth quarter. Following veteran starter Graham Mertz‘s exit due to injury, five-star freshman DJ Lagway — 247Sports‘ No. 1 quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class — made his college football debut and led the Gators on offense.
With 14:44 left in the game, Lagway and the Florida offense were forced to punt on a three-and-out. But Lagway showed his potential on the ensuing Gators possession when he led Florida on a nine-play, 58-yard scoring drive that concluded with a short touchdown run by Treyaun Webb.
Picking up big chunks of yardage with his legs and arm, Lagway injected some juice into what had been a lifeless Florida offense to that point. For Lagway’s mother Nikita, it was a years-in-the-making moment.
“I’ve known that this was going to come and his time is coming,” she told 247Sports. “He’s already made great strides being there. It’s been exhilarating to watch him do the things that we sat on our coach and driving to workouts talked about that the wanted to do.
“It’s been a dream come true. I can’t believe my baby is actually here and doing what he’s dreamed of doing.”
The Gators faced Samford the following week and, with Mertz still in concussion protocol, Lagway was able to take the reins and really get his feet wet against an inferior opponent. The nation’s No. 1 passer in the 2024 class was sensational, throwing for 456 yards and three touchdowns on 18-of-25 passing.
Lagway’s father Derek played running back at Baylor from 1997 through 2001, but he couldn’t contain his pride watching his son excel on the field for a major program.
“It was like a dream,” he told 247Sports. “It was awesome. I know how hard he worked. He’s been working since he was 4 or 5 years old. That was one of his goals.
“To see him able to get in during the Miami game was really awesome. On the first series, it might have been three-and-out, but he moved the ball down the field on the second series against their first-team defense.
“I can see he’ll be fine. Coming out the next weekend, he got a chance to start and, the way he played, I feel like he’s going to be fine.”
Fans might have hoped that the Lagway era was officially underway, but with Mertz returning from injury, Florida coach Billy Napier didn’t seem ready to move on from the status quo.
During Napier’s Monday news conference, he made his intention clear to start Mertz and seek opportunities for Lagway in Saturday’s game against Texas A&M.
“There’s been a lot of these dynamics over the years in terms of having a veteran player who’s accomplished, who’s had a good career that’s coming back, who’s in a leadership role and then you’ve got this young talent,” Napier said. “We’re going to do what’s in the best interest of the team.
“Both these players can make our team better. The great thing about it is there’s a great relationship there. There’s confidence, there’s humility from both guys and I think there’s a healthy respect from the team and the staff for both players.”
When Lagway committed to Florida in December 2022, the staff made it clear that he was the Gators’ top target. Florida subsequently landed Mertz from Wisconsin (2019-22) in the transfer portal, and Lagway knew that he’d have to compete with a more experienced player at the position.
While it was never discussed specifically during the recruitment, Lagway’s father knew from his experience that nothing would be handed to his son.
“It never was said,” he said. “I understood because I played college football. I knew Graham Mertz was there, and I figured going in (Lagway) would be the backup and learn and get some playing time here and there.
“To me, it hasn’t been an issue because I know playing in the SEC is something totally different. I’m not saying DJ isn’t ready for it or couldn’t handle it, but I want him to hit the field when he’s ready.”
Florida’s SEC opener with the Aggies provides some delicious storylines. Clemson, USC and Texas A&M followed the Gators in the running for the Willis (Texas) High standout.
At one point, it looked like the Aggies were favored to land his commitment. Texas A&M was one of the first schools to offer Lagway during the summer of 2021, and he was a frequent visitor to College Station over that time. Lagway’s hometown sits just 65 miles from College Station, and the elite athlete spent many Saturdays visiting Kyle Field.
According to those familiar with the situation, Lagway would have likely been in Maroon and White had it not been for a few factors.
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