Prized Florida QB Pledge DJ Lagway Named MaxPreps National Player of the Year
The jewel of Florida's 2024 recruiting class, Willis (Texas) High quarterback DJ Lagway was named the National Player of the Year at the high school level by MaxPreps on Tuesday afternoon.
Lagway bested Opa Locka (Fla.) Chaminade Madonna wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, Draper (Utah) Corner Canyon quarterback Isaac Wilson, Marietta (Ga.) Walton quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski and Lafayette (La.) Christian Academy athlete Ju’Juan Johnson for the honor.
"It's truly a blessing," Lagway told CBS Sports after officially receiving the recognition.
Willis made a historical run in its final ride with Lagway in 2023, a campaign in which he broke former Southlake (Texas) Carroll BCS national championship-winning quarterback Greg McElroy's single-season record (classification 5A/6A) of 56 touchdown passes.
Lagway set high school personal bests in every major statistical category as a senior, with a completion percentage of 72.1, 4,604 passing yards, 957 rushing yards, 16 rushing touchdowns and 58 passing scores.
Behind Lagway and his assortment of passing game weapons, including UF preferred walk-on commitment DeBraun Hampton, Willis unlocked a regional semifinal berth in the Texas high school state playoffs for the first time since 1994, going undefeated up until the Wildkats' loss to DeSoto High on Nov. 25.
Lagway is a consensus five-star prospect, regarded as the No. 3 quarterback and No. 10 overall prospect by the 247Sports composite rankings.
With his high school career in the rear-view mirror, Lagway is scheduled to sign with Florida at 4:30 p.m. ET/3:30 P.M. CT on Wednesday during a signing day ceremony at Willis High School.
He plans to enroll at UF in January and will be tasked with helping head coach Billy Napier lead the Gators to brighter days following the program's third-consecutive losing season in 2023.
"They can expect a hard worker," Lagway said, referencing Florida's fanbase and his imminent signing with the program. "I'm going to come in right away, put my boots on the ground and go to work."
Stay tuned to All Gators for continuous coverage of Florida Gators football, basketball and recruiting. Follow along on social media at @AllGatorsOnFN on Twitter and All Gators on FanNation-Sports Illustrated on Facebook.
