DJ Lagway salvages Florida class, which suffered slew of decommitments

DJ Lagway is firm on Florida, confirming Wednesday afternoon he has signed his National Letter of Intent to the Gators. While landing Lagway is absolutely significant, there’s no denying a bittersweet reaction for Billy Napier’s program.

As recently as a few weeks ago, Florida was looking at the potential of a top-5 recruiting class for the 2024 cycle. After some major decisions, that class is now in the teens heading into a potential make-or-break season for Napier.

Wednesday was particularly brutal for Florida as the program watched 4-star players like linebacker Adarius Hayes and defensive lineman Amaris Williams flip throughout the day. The program also lost commitments from 4-star defensive lineman Nasir Johnson and 5-star defensive back Xavier Filsaime leading up to the early period.

Further complicating Florida’s recruiting efforts, the status of 5-star defensive lineman LJ McCray is unclear. According to reports, he will not sign on Wednesday which is an unsettling development, to say the least.

Overall, the signing of Lagway is not enough to fully pump up the perception of this class for Napier. Here is a look at how the reactions poured in for a bittersweet Wednesday for Florida:

DJ Lagway with the class that will turn the program around https://t.co/DY7HHxQUxX pic.twitter.com/aFxmV72qUx

— Johnny Utah (@UtahGator725) December 20, 2023

https://t.co/SFeKIXhRnr pic.twitter.com/qw2HNXUphD

— Andy Olson (@ByAndrewOlson) December 20, 2023

Florida decommits over the last month:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ DB Xavier Filsaime
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ DL Amaris Williams
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ LB Adarius Hayes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ DL Nasir Johnson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ EDGE Jamonta Waller
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️DB Wardell Mack
⭐️⭐️⭐️DL Kendall Jackson

Also, 5-star commit LJ McCray reportedly won’t be…

— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) December 20, 2023

#Gators recruiting class was No.3 in the 247Sports composite ranking 2 weeks ago.

It’s now No.15.

— Matt Hayes (@MattHayesCFB) December 20, 2023

QB DJ Lagway just said on ESPN2 that he is signing with Florida and he’s excited to play for Billy Napier. #Gators pic.twitter.com/UYUw8XgT8K

— Rob Co (@musclepug54) December 20, 2023

DJ Lagway in UF’s 2024 Class pic.twitter.com/6ytpKxlrzU

— Spark College Football (@SparkCFB) December 20, 2023

We got DJ Lagway in pic.twitter.com/AwqXQZeB80

— Alcoholnicks Anonymous?? (@alcoholnicks) December 20, 2023

This staff does not deserve DJ Lagway, but the program deserves him more than anyone else in the country.

— Fogell (@F0gell) December 20, 2023

Billy Napier to his staff in the War Room: pic.twitter.com/XS7saagFib

— Marco (@dmarcoveli) December 20, 2023

Florida lost 5 in a row to miss a bowl game, and now Billy Napier will be on every hot seat list this offseason ahead of what some are tabbing as the most difficult schedule in college football history.

Seems like some recruits are well aware of that.

— Connor O’Gara (@cjogara) December 20, 2023

I literally feel bad for Billy Napier.

Like…. pic.twitter.com/rTq1JFAIC3

— Tarik D. LaCour (@realscientistic) December 20, 2023

Another crushing blow for Billy Napier as four-star DL Amaris Williams flips to Auburn.

In a couple of weeks, Florida has fallen from No. 3 to No. 15 overall.

— Brad Crawford (@BCrawford247) December 20, 2023

Billy Napier showing up to the coaches office tomorrow morning pic.twitter.com/H3nCbB8EPX

— Juicy Smollayyy?‍☠️ (@legoJETTA) December 20, 2023

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.