DJ Lagway, the top-ranked recruit in the 2024 class, had his pick of powerhouse programs before committing to Florida. After a solid freshman season, one analyst believes the Gators quarterback is poised to take a significant leap as a leader in 2025.
DJ Lagway Poised To Lead Gators’ Turnaround in 2025
Lagway, the No. 1-rated dual-threat quarterback in the 2024 class, lived up to the hype in his freshman season. Florida went 6-1 in games he started, showcasing his immediate impact under center.
While Lagway has all the raw talent in the world, On3’s J.D. PicKell believes that the young signal-caller is ready to take the next step as a leader in the 2025 season.
On “The Hard Count” podcast, PicKell referenced the 2019 LSU team under Ed Orgeron, noting that in Orgeron’s book, he credited Joe Burrow’s leadership as a driving force behind their success.
PicKell believes that, based on what he saw and heard at SEC Media Days, Lagway is ready to take on a similar role for Florida this season.
“If DJ Lagway can take the next step, and own that part of this whole equation with being a leader for Florida… at that point, that’s where you start to flywheel,” PicKell said. “That’s when good things really happen for folks in Gainesville.”
Lagway is as good as any other quarterback in the country in terms of his ability. If he can combine that with taking on a strong leadership role, then the sky is the limit for the Gators in 2025.
Florida finished 7-5 in 2024, but the buzz around the program has grown heading into this season. PicKell says the team is full of confidence and will need to be all-in to contend in the SEC.
“There’s no half stepping for Florida in 2025,” PicKell said, later adding, “They feel good. That felt very, very clear from how they operated during media days, and I’ll say this man, how can you not be excited to watch that roster?”
Pickell isn’t wrong about Florida’s roster in 2025. Billy Napier landed the No. 7 recruiting class in 2024 and followed it with the No. 9 class in 2025. With talent across the board and Lagway leading the way, the Gators are built for a big bounce-back year.
As PicKell points out, the team and Lagway will have to grow and develop throughout the season, but all the pieces are in place to ensure they are as competitive as anyone else in the SEC.
