Skip to main content
Florida

The DJ Lagway effect on Florida quarterback recruiting

79417-removebg-preview (1)by: Corey Bender7 hours agoCorey_Bender
DJ Lagway
(Jordan Brand/DJ Lagway)

When Florida signed DJ Lagway as the No. 1-ranked quarterback in his class, it was clear the program was getting a special prospect. What may not have been as clear at the time was how much of an impact he would have on recruiting for years to come.

One of the biggest examples is 2027 5-star Elijah Haven. The attention Lagway has received from NIL opportunities to becoming the face of the program has caught Haven’s eye in a major way. Some of those national brands Lagway now represents include Gatorade, Chipotle and Jordan Brand.

The connection with DJ Lagway and his father

Beyond that, Lagway and his father have built a real relationship with Haven and his family. That personal touch has made a lasting impression. Right now, Florida is trending as the heavy favorite for Haven, who will be back in Gainesville for the Texas game later this fall. Before that, he will also get another close look at the Gators when they play LSU in Baton Rouge on Saturday.

Helping the next QB in line

The influence isn’t just with the 2027 class though. Even Florida’s current 2026 quarterback commit, Will Griffin, has felt it. Griffin previously shadowed Lagway early in his own recruitment and came away raving about the experience. He described Lagway as welcoming and helpful, noting how the freshman quarterback went out of his way to make him feel comfortable.

Even though Griffin is still a senior in high school, he already feels like a teammate of Lagway. He looks forward to learning from him in the year ahead and possibly beyond that. As with Haven, the Lagway family has provided nothing but hospitality. That is not something recruits always see from star players and it stands out.

Star power reaches even further

The impact doesn’t stop there. In conversations about the 2028 class, Lagway’s name constantly comes up. Recruits talk about him because of his national profile and the buzz he generates. Lagway’s presence on Florida’s roster definitely shines a bright light on the quarterback position and has the Gators in the mix for several top sophomores. That includes No. 1-ranked overall prospect Jayden Wade, Champ Monds, Brady Quinn, Knox Annis and Jackson Stecher.

More than just on-field impact

When prospects see Lagway leading the program and gaining recognition, it makes Florida a more attractive destination for the next wave of quarterbacks.

Lagway was already expected to change the trajectory of the Gators on the field. What has become just as important is how he is shaping the recruiting trail off it. From elite prospects like Haven to fellow quarterbacks like Griffin, and even future classes that are just beginning to take shape, DJ Lagway has become a central figure in Florida’s recruiting success.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.

You may also like