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PFF: DJ Lagway part of a potential 2027 NFL Draft class that 'has scouts drooling'

On3 imageby: Keith Niebuhr06/15/25On3Keith
Florida-Gators-DJ-Lagway
Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) throws the ball against the Mississippi Rebels during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

The 2027 NFL Draft has the potential to be a memorable one, according to Pro Football Focus. The emergence last year of several prominent true freshmen, including Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway, is a big reason for the praise.

Wrote PFF:

The 2024 college football season was the year of the true freshman, as many players have shown superstar ability immediately out of high school.  Three second-year players are the No. 1 players at their respective positions in PFF’s rankings. That’s only happened five other times in the history of our rankings.  Our No. 2 running back, No. 2 wide receiver, No. 2 edge defender and No. 2 safety are also true sophomores. In total, 12 second-year players made the top-10 of their position ranking.

DJ Lagway could be a “franchise” QB in the NFL

Lagway, Florida’s sophomore signal caller, previously came in at No. 7 in PFF’s QB rankings. Now, here is what PFF said about his potential to be a top pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

It wouldn’t be a special draft class without at least one potential franchise quarterback. Lagway showed why he was the top quarterback recruit in the 2024 cycle, leading the Power Four with an 8.8% big-time throw rate. Lagway’s 95.6 passing grade on deep throws stood third in the country as well. He’ll need to become more precise as a sophomore, though, as his 59.7 passing grade on all other throws was the second-worst mark in the Power Four. 

It was still a very encouraging freshman year for Lagway, though, considering how brutal Florida’s schedule was. He may have more arm talent than anyone else in college football … just needs to fine-tune his footwork and accuracy to potentially become the best quarterback in the nation.

Lagway threw for 1,915 yards, 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions as a true freshman while helping lead UF to an 8-5 record. 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.

He began throwing again in April

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.

Gators coach Billy Napier said at the SEC Spring Meetings in late May that Lagway was throwing three days a week at that time. There has not been a progress report revealed since that time.

“He’s doing good, three days a week, making really good progress,” Napier, who added that Lagway’s workload was normal and not lighter. “We’re doing exactly what we would do this time of year that we’ve done in the past. So, he’s on schedule.”

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