Two Gators Signees Finish Top 10 in On3Sports’ 2024 Recruiting Rankings

The headlining acts of the Gators' rising true freshman class, quarterback DJ Lagway and defensive end LJ McCray, earned their way into the top ten of On3Sports' final 2024 recruiting rankings Monday morning.

Lagway came in as the top-rated quarterback and No. 2 prospect in the country — only behind Ohio State wide receiver signee Jeremiah Smith — as McCray claimed the top defensive lineman spot at No. 6 overall.

🚨NEW🚨 Final 2024 On300 Rankings⭐️

Breakdown via @CharlesPower: https://t.co/FxKSWN5dgj pic.twitter.com/JYHJnERwni
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) January 29, 2024

Lagway and McCray were also considered the No. 3 and No. 4 players, respectively, in 247Sports' final rankings on Jan. 22, further signaling their status as key cogs in expediting the rebuilding process at the University of Florida.

The class was anchored by a franchise quarterback prospect in Lagway who possesses the physical tools needed to elevate the Florida program from behind center in the modern game. He's equipped with impressive arm strength and accuracy, which the dual-threat passer showcases from various arm slots from the pocket or on the move.

Lagway was identified early by Billy Napier and Co. as the prospect they wanted to build around. He reciprocated the interest.

UF secured his commitment on Dec. 7, 2022, and held on to receive his signature over one year later despite considerable interest from schools like Clemson, Texas A&M and USC in the 11th hour.

His impressive senior campaign at Willis (Texas) High School earned him vast recognition as arguably the nation's top prospect in the 2024 cycle, as Lagway passed for 4,604 yards and 58 touchdowns on 72% completion to pair with 957 yards and 16 scores on the ground in his final season with the WildKats.

He reeled in the MaxPreps Player of the Year and Gatorade National Player of the Year awards following the season's completion as a result, and enrolled with the Gators this spring.

His counterpart spearheading the other side of the ball is a high-floor, high-ceiling defensive end in McCray.

Standing at 6-foot-6, 275 pounds, the Mainland (Daytona Beach, Fla.) High trenchman has showcased promising length, power and athleticism while working in a variety of roles from 0-technique (head up over the center) to standup edge rusher (outside shoulder of the tackle) — not to mention time at tight end — with the Buccaneers over the past three seasons.

He totaled an impressive 133 tackles, 62 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and an interception in 35 career appearances.

A polished run stopper with the size and football IQ to clog multiple rushing lanes at once by crashing down from the edge. Whether he's engaged with the tackle or gets skinny to penetrate the backfield, McCray has the potential to excel on early downs to begin his collegiate career.

As his skillset as a pass rusher matures to match his impressive physical intangibles, the in-state five-star prospect will likely fulfill a three-down role for the Gators in his career.

He started to realize more success getting after the passer as his prep career progressed, accounting for 13 sacks as a senior — compared to just five total in his sophomore and junior years.

AllGators likens him to former Georgia defensive end and No. 1 overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022 Travon Walker in that regard.

McCray, like Lagway, has also already made his way to campus as a spring semester enrollee.

Both elite-level talents are expected to serve trial rolls for the Gators over the next several campaigns. While Lagway will expectedly work in short yardage rushing packages in relief of starting quarterback Graham Mertz in 2024, McCray could carve out a voluminous role on the edge of the Florida defense on early downs.

Either way, the duo of highly regarded five stars are pillars of Napier's mission to field a more competitive product in 2024 and beyond.

DJ Lagway Compliments Billy Napier's Florida Offense: 'He Knows His Players'

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