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"Our town's not used to having success like that" - Texas HS coach recalls Gators' QB DJ Lagway's role in the revival of his football program
DJ Lagway, a star quarterback from Willis High School in Texas, has transformed his high school football team and sparked excitement as he begins his career at Florida Gators. Before Lagway’s arrival, the Willis Wildkats struggled through six straight losing seasons, including a difficult 2-8 record during his freshman year.
As a four-year starter, Lagway changed the Wildkats' fortunes. By 2022, he led them to a 5-5 record, but his senior season in 2023 was historic. The team went 12-1, won the 6A District 13 title, and made a playoff run that ended in the regional semifinals. In the Houston suburb of Willis, a town of about 7,000 residents, Lagway's influence is still felt. Lagway's high school coach Miller said (per Houston Chronicle):
"This right now is the house that Lagway built, 100%. Our town's not used to having success like that."
“You can’t replace D.J. Lagway on any team, any program, whether it’s high school, the collegiate level and, hopefully, at the NFL level one day,” Willis coach Miller said.
“He did a really good job of being a leader, on and off the field. With our young kids coming into the system, he was a great role model to be around those guys. He kind of taught them how to run the offense, how to be a leader in the locker room and in the school building.”
As a senior, DJ Lagway shattered records, passing for 4,606 yards and 58 touchdowns while adding 957 rushing yards and 16 scores on the ground. His 74 total touchdowns set a new Class 6A record, fueling Willis' most successful season in school history.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound quarterback, highly regarded as the top QB recruit of 2024, debuted for Florida in a Week 1 loss to Miami.
Florida Gators freshmen QB DJ Lagway shines in first start
DJ Lagway made an impressive first start, throwing for 456 yards and three touchdowns to lead Florida to a 45-7 victory over Samford on Saturday. The win relieved head coach Billy Napier after a rough season opener against Miami.
Filling in for the injured Graham Mertz (concussion), DJ Lagway completed his first seven passes. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Texas native connected on six throws of at least 30 yards—an accomplishment Florida managed just 14 times last season.
“He is exactly what we thought he was,” Napier told ESPN
Lagway’s big plays included a 77-yard pass to Elijhah Badger, a 44-yard connection with Chimere Dike, and a 40-yard strike to Hayden Hansen. He also hit Tank Hawkins for a 36-yard touchdown and Aidan Mizell for a 41-yard score.
“My mindset was to make the most of this opportunity and compete alongside these talented players,” Lagway said.
DJ Lagway finished 18-of-25 despite enduring two hard hits while scrambling. The Gators surged to a 21-0 lead after his precise pass to Hawkins in the end zone. Florida might have added more points if not for a fumble at the goal line by freshman Jaden Baugh.
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