DJ Lagway
Baylor#100 overallDraft Movement
Down 5 spots since Jun 8
Scouting Report
DJ Lagway arrived in Gainesville as one of the most physically gifted quarterback prospects in recent memory, a consensus five-star from Willis (TX) who swept National Gatorade Player of the Year, MaxPreps Player of the Year and Elite 11 honors after a senior season of 4,634 passing yards, 58 touchdowns and 957 rushing yards. NFLDraftBuzz grades him 83.0/100 with a #13 overall and #4 QB rank in the 2027 class, projecting a Day-2 outcome with first-round upside. His true-freshman 2024 was electric: 1,915 yards and 12 TDs in 12 games, a nation-leading 154.9 passer rating among FBS true freshmen, third-best deep-ball efficiency in the country, a 456-yard debut against Samford and Gasparilla Bowl MVP honors. The 2025 sophomore campaign cratered, however. He led the SEC in interceptions (14 on the year, 13 through 10 games), got benched at halftime versus Kentucky after three first-half picks, and threw five interceptions in a single game against LSU. His QBR (59.5) ranked 14th among SEC starters, and Florida finished 4-8, leading to Billy Napier's midseason firing. ESPN scout Tom Luginbill still calls him "the most physically gifted player at the position in the portal," citing rare blend of size, mobility and arm strength. The arm talent, off-platform creativity from a baseball background and 4.65 speed at 247 pounds give him a true franchise-quarterback ceiling; the regression in footwork, processing and ball security gives him a backup floor. Polarizing developmental QB1 with the biggest tools-to-production gap in the class.
Strengths
- Elite arm strength that drives all three levels and authors far-hash throws with authority
- Outstanding deep-ball thrower
- led Power Four in big-time throw rate as a true freshman and ranked third nationally in deep-ball efficiency
- Off-platform throwing ability from baseball background that lets him deliver from multiple arm slots when mechanics aren't aligned
- Legit dual-threat profile with reported 4.65 speed at 247 pounds and between-the-tackles running power on designed runs and scrambles
- Quick feet to navigate the pocket, climb the launch point and extend plays when protection breaks down
- Proven big-game production against ranked opponents (Texas, LSU, Ole Miss, Miami) including 298 yards/2 TDs vs. No. 9 Texas in 2025
- Improvisational creativity outside structure
Weaknesses
- Footwork mechanics regressed significantly from freshman to sophomore year
- undisciplined base produces sailed throws and accuracy lapses
- Decision-making collapsed in 2025 with SEC-leading 14 INTs, a five-pick game vs. LSU and a halftime benching at Kentucky
- Processing and field reading lag his experience level
- struggles working through progressions against zone and forces throws when first read is taken away
- Short and intermediate accuracy is volatile
- completion rate (63.2% in 2025) masks down-to-down inconsistency on timing throws
- Durability and availability concerns
NFL Comparison
Anthony Richardson (size/arm/athletic profile, similar boom-or-bust developmental projection); Cam Newton (247-lb dual-threat frame with downhill running and big-arm vertical game); Malik Willis (elite traits, raw processing, project who must sit early)
College Stats
2024 (Florida, true FR): 12 G/7 GS, 1,915 pass yds, 12 TD/9 INT, 154.9 rating (led FBS true freshmen), 3rd nationally in deep-ball efficiency, Gasparilla Bowl MVP. 2025 (SO): 10 G, 187/296 (63.2%), 1,980 yds, 12 TD/13 INT; full year 4,179 pass yds, 237 rush yds, 29 total TD, 24 turnovers, 59.5 QBR (14th among SEC starters), led SEC in INTs
Measurables
Awards & Honors
Gasparilla Bowl MVP (2024); SEC Freshman of the Week (vs. No. 21 LSU, 2024); SEC Offensive Player of the Week (vs. No. 9 Texas, 2025); HS: National Gatorade Player of the Year, MaxPreps Player of the Year, Elite 11 National HS QB of the Year, Bobby Dodd National Back of the Year, consensus 5-star (Rivals No. 1 QB in 2024 class); NFLDraftBuzz 2027 rank: #13 overall, #4 QB, 83.0/100