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DJ Lagway, Tim Tebow included in EA Sports College Football 26 deluxe cover

On3 imageby: Keith Niebuhr05/27/25On3Keith
DJ-Lagway-Florida-Gators
Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) smiles after a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

One current Florida Gators quarterback and one former UF quarterback are featured on the EA Sports College Football 26 deluxe cover, it was revealed Tuesday. Those players are returning Florida starter DJ Lagway and Gators icon Tim Tebow.

Meanwhile, Alabama receiver Ryan Williams and Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith will be on the standard edition cover of the College Football 26 game when it is released on July 10.

As On3’s Pete Nakos noted, “(The deluxe edition cover, which features a slew of college football head coaches and players, along with former stars. Among the names are Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham, Georgia’s Kirby Smart, Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman, Ohio State’s Ryan Day, Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin, Oregon’s Dan Lanning and Penn State’s James Franklin. Past EA Sports cover stars Reggie Bush, Tim Tebow and Denard Robinson also appear on the deluxe cover.)

Lagway, a former 5-star recruit, is considered to be a rising star in college football.

A rising sophomore, he threw for 1,915 yards, 12 touchdowns, and nine interceptions as a true freshman. He was instrumental in the Gators’ strong finish to the 2024 season. However, when spring camp opened in March, the team announced he was dealing with a lower-body/ shoulder issue. To avoid further complications, the coaching staff limited his participation.

Despite being sidelined from throwing, Lagway remained engaged throughout camp. He stayed active by mimicking quarterback drills from behind the play and continued participating in other developmental activities. He even started the Orange & Blue Game in April, taking multiple snaps—though he only handed the ball off on each play.

Less than two weeks after that spring game, Lagway began throwing again in the Jacksonville area, working with trainer Tom Gormely and quarterbacks coach Will Hewlett. Both are seasoned specialists who have trained NFL quarterbacks Josh Allen, Brock Purdy, Anthony Richardson and Matthew Stafford. Lagway has since returned to Gainesville, where he’s continuing his progress under Florida quarterbacks coach Ryan O’Hara.

“His full velocity is back,” Deiric Jackson, Lagway’s agent, told Gators Online last week “He has a pitch count, but there are no limitations on what types of throws he’s making or how far he’s throwing.”

Jackson added, “To be honest, he was never fully healthy (last year). There were a bunch of things he fought through just to be able to perform at the level he did. A lot of those little things had adverse effects while he was trying to throw without pain. It’s fixed. He’s healthy now; he’s going to have his full arsenal. People have not seen his full arsenal. Not even close. I’m looking forward to seeing it this upcoming season.”

Tebow played for the Gators from 2006-09, won the 2007 Heisman Trophy and was part of two national championship teams. He is widely considered one of the greatest college players of all time.

You can read more about EA Sports College Football 26 HERE.

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