Florida Commit DJ Lagway Among Most Anticipated CFB Video Game Players

Photo: DJ Lagway; Credit: Alex Shepherd

College football fans will have the opportunity to virtually play as their favorite athletes next year when EA Sports College Football hits the video game market, over a decade after production of the NCAA Football video game permanently ceased for the opposite reason.

ESPN reported on Wednesday that EA Sports has contracted with OneTeam Partners to "facilitate collegiate athletes' names and likenesses" in the widely anticipated video game, which is expected to be released in 2024. Unlike previous versions of the game, active college football players will have the ability to profit from their inclusion, so long as they opt into the partnership.

Naturally, members of the college football world are already looking forward to emulating particular players on the digital gridiron.

247Sports ranked the top ten players the outlet "can't wait to use" when the game is released. Although he is not yet officially a member of the team, class of 2024 Florida quarterback commit DJ Lagway made the list at No. 6.

Lagway is one of two players on the list that are currently enrolled in high school, along with Ohio State wide receiver commit Jeremiah Smith (No. 10).

Additionally, four class of 2023 recruits made the list: South Carolina tight end Nyckoles Harbor (No. 1), Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson (No. 3), Texas quarterback Arch Manning (No. 7) and USC wide receiver Zachariah Branch (No. 8).

Below is why Lagway earned a spot in the rankings, according to 247Sports writer Robbie Weinstein.

Considering the current vacuum at quarterback in Gainesville, Florida, there is a real chance that Lagway could start as a true freshman in 2024. And if he's the guy, he is going to be a ton of fun.

Listed at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, Lagway has the rocket arm to go with his thick frame. He's incredibly mobile too, showing off his wheels as a rusher who has both speed and power. Spam away with the quarterback runs — they're going to be tough to stop.

Lagway pledged to the Gators on Dec. 7, 2022, offering UF head coach Billy Napier his quarterback of the future in Gainesville during a two-month stretch in which 2022 starting passer Anthony Richardson entered the NFL Draft, backup Jalen Kitna was dismissed from the team and class of 2023 commitments Jaden Rashada and Marcus Stokes left the recruiting class for varying reasons.

Florida will bridge the gap between now and Lagway's arrival with one of Graham Mertz and Jack Miller III as the team's starting quarterback.

Both players, each a former Power 5 transfer, maintain college eligibilty that entends beyond the 2023 season. Neither passer is viewed as a long-term fix at the position, however, which could lead to Lagway's early utilization. Mertz and Miller will continue to compete for the first-team role this fall as the gig went unseized in spring camp.

In two years as WIllis (Texas) High's starting quarterback, Lagway has completed 60.6% of his 447 throws for 3,660 passing yards, 41 touchdowns and seven interceptions, adding 179 rushes for 1,227 yards and 13 scores on the ground.

He is considered the No. 3 quarterback and No. 21 overall prospect in the class of 2024, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

10 players we can't wait to use when the EA Sports College Football video game returns in 2024. 🎮

Story by @rwweinstein - https://t.co/mhGOyw1XkI pic.twitter.com/53h2M2Lm0w
— 247Sports (@247Sports) May 20, 2023

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