DJ Lagway presented Gatorade National Player of the Year award by Emmitt Smith
By Andrew Olson
Published:
DJ Lagway’s latest honor brought a Florida legend back to campus in Gainesville.
Emmitt Smith was back at UF on Friday to present Lagway with the Gatorade National Player of the Year award for 2023. Smith won the honor for his standout 1986 season at Escambia High School in Pensacola, Florida before arriving at UF. Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold won the award last year.
It’s always special to see who’s got next.
Congratulations to the 2023-2024 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year! ? pic.twitter.com/xLEZcSgqP2
— Emmitt Smith (@EmmittSmith22) January 5, 2024
Congratulations to @DerekLagway for becoming this year’s Gatorade National Football Player of the Year!! And a BIG thanks to Gator Legend & Pro Football Hall of Famer @EmmittSmith22 for taking the time to present DJ with this honor and welcome him to Gator Nation!! #GoGators ? pic.twitter.com/WxEZsYBVEq
— COACH BILLY NAPIER (@coach_bnapier) January 5, 2024
Lagway committed to Florida in December 2022 as a highly sought-after quarterback prospect and maintained the buzz with a sensational senior season. Leading Willis to a 12-1 record, he passed for 4,604 yards and a 6A state record 58 touchdowns, posting a 72.1 completion percentage in the process. A dual-threat quarterback, Lagway also led his team in rushing yards (957) and touchdowns (16).
A 5-star December signee, Lagway also won MaxPreps’ National Player of the Year award.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
