Florida QB DJ Lagway is set to make his first start on Saturday.
The Gators released their depth chart for the Week 2 contest against Samford on Wednesday evening. Lagway is listed as QB1. Returning starter Graham Mertz is in concussion protocol after exiting the Miami game.
#Gators release depth chart vs. Samford
DJ Lagway will make his first collegiate start pic.twitter.com/P4rgQybgnB
— Graham Hall (@GrahamHall) September 4, 2024
Florida fans have been ready to see Lagway in orange and blue since his December 2022 commitment to the Gators. Now, he’ll make his first UF start earlier than expected.
Lagway finished the 2024 recruiting cycle as the 247Sports Composite’s No. 1 quarterback and No. 3 prospect overall. He was a highlight machine in 2023 leading Willis (Texas) to its best season in program history, notching a 12-1 mark. Lagway completed 72.1% of his passes for 4,631 yards and 58 touchdowns, breaking the Texas Class 6A single-season record for TD passes. A true dual-threat, Lagway also rushed for 975 yards and 15 scores.
Lagway’s spectacular season led to him being named the National Player of the Year by Gatorade and MaxPreps.
This past Saturday, Lagway made his collegiate debut. He entered the Miami game after Mertz’s second-half injury. He was 3-of-6 passing for 31 yards with an interception, rushing 4 times for 20 yards.
While not statistically spectacular, Lagway did have some impressive moments that excited Florida fans during an otherwise depressing 41-17 blowout loss to Miami.
Athletic 3rd down run from DJ Lagway, who picks up 16 yards and a first down. pic.twitter.com/Gxw04uqc6N
— Nick Marcinko (@marcinko_nick) August 31, 2024
DJ Lagway orchestrated the only successful drive of the game vs Miami. Time for the Freshman to take over. pic.twitter.com/4oJTmKoauB
— Florida Gators (@gatorsszn) September 2, 2024
Lagway is considered Florida’s future at quarterback. Gator fans are going to get an early look at the future as UF takes on FCS program Samford. The game is set for 7 p.m. ET in The Swamp, streaming on SEC Network+ and ESPN+.
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.
