
DJ Lagway established himself as a rising star in college football last season, making seven starts for the Florida Gators. His strong performances caught the attention of analysts and fans alike, positioning him as one of the most promising young quarterbacks in the game. However, as he continues to recover from a lingering shoulder injury, questions remain about his ability to return to full strength. Despite these concerns, many experts believe he has the potential to become one of the best quarterbacks in the sport, provided he can stay healthy.
Among those high on Lagway’s potential is Fox Sports’ RJ Young, who has been vocal in his support of the young quarterback. Young believes that Lagway’s success last season was no accident and that his impact on the Gators was significant.
“I think more people will start realizing that DJ Lagway’s performance last season was not a fluke—what he contributed to that team was very real,” Young said during an episode of The Number One College Football Show last week. “In fact, there’s a strong argument to be made that if he hadn’t been injured against Georgia, Florida might have won that game. His presence on the field made a huge difference, and I truly believe he is going to enter the Heisman conversation this year.”
However, Lagway’s ability to reach those lofty expectations hinges on his health. The talented quarterback is still working through his recovery, and there are indications that he may not be able to throw at all during spring practices. If that is the case, it could slow his development and limit his ability to gain chemistry with his teammates ahead of the upcoming season.
CBS Sports’ Josh Pate has voiced concerns about the nature of Lagway’s injury, particularly the fact that he sought a second opinion. In Pate’s view, this could be a troubling sign that the initial prognosis was not favorable.
“Once upon a time, they told ‘Stone Cold’ to stop wrestling,” Pate said on his podcast, referencing WWE legend Steve Austin. “He went and got a second opinion, which allowed him to extend his career for several more years, even though it was still ultimately cut short. The reality is, second opinions aren’t something you typically seek out unless the first one gives you bad news. So now, we’re left wondering—‘Is DJ Lagway okay?’ Right now, we simply don’t know.”
With so much uncertainty surrounding Lagway’s health, Florida fans are left hoping for the best as they look ahead to the 2025 season. If he is able to make a full recovery and return to the field at 100%, there’s no doubt he has the potential to be one of the most exciting players in college football. However, if his injury lingers or worsens, it could derail not only his individual goals but also Florida’s hopes for a successful season.
As spring practices approach, all eyes will be on Lagway’s recovery, and the speculation about his status will likely continue until he is able to return to action. Until then, the question remains: will DJ Lagway be healthy enough to live up to the sky-high expectations surrounding him, or will injuries keep him from reaching his full potential?1