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Florida QB DJ Lagway earns high praise from college football analyst Josh Pate

IMG_6615by: Blake Alderman08/11/25Blake_Alderman
Florida QB DJ Lagway
Doug Engle | Gainesville Sun | USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Florida Gators will kick off the 2025-2026 season on August 31 at home against Long Island. The Gators enter that match-up ranked No. 15 in the AP Top 25 poll for the preseason. There is some excitement in Gainesville for the season after the Gators finished last season on a high note. Florida ended with wins over LSU, Ole Miss, Florida State, and Tulane. The staff also put a bow on the year by signing Rivals No. 10-ranked recruiting class and flipping multiple recruits along the way.

The Florida Gators have an exciting signal caller on offense

Another major factor behind the excitement within the Florida Gators fanbase for the season is sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway. Last season as a true freshman, Lagway flashed his potential by passing for 1,915 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. He played a significant role in helping Florida finish the season at 8-5. Lagway started seven games, boasting a 6–1 record at the helm. He began the season as the backup to QB Graham Mertz, but took over as the starter once Mertz tore his ACL on the road against Tennessee.

In the latest episode of Josh Pate’s College Football Show, analyst Josh Pate was asked which quarterback in the country he would take if he were calling the shots. He provided four answers, with Lagway named as the first one he would pick. Despite not being the Gators’ starter for the entire year, Pate chose DJ Lagway because of his live arm displayed as a rookie.

RELATED: Billy Napier says DJ Lagway had his best day of practice on Monday

“I went with DJ Lagway,” said Pate. “I think DJ Lagway, at his best, can be the best quarterback in the country. Now, I have, just like you, heard the injury concerns. I’ve seen the injury concerns. But I think when you blend raw talent and explosiveness and deep ball accuracy, when he’s at his best, he can be better than anyone in the country.”

Lagway’s ability to stretch the field with his arm strength was a factor behind Pate’s selection. The ability to do that as a freshman also brings a chance to develop that arm talent in future years.

“DJ Lagway led the SEC last year in completion percentage on balls thrown 20 or more yards downfield. And I still think there’s a way for him to level up his passing game. 2025 should be his pop year. And I’m not just talking about at Florida. DJ Lagway would be my No. 1.”

Oklahoma’s John Mateer, Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers were the other three quarterbacks that Pate listed.

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