Ever since he arrived at the University of Florida for his freshman year and the 2024 campaign, the road for DJ Lagway has been one of ups and downs, making him a highly-talked about quarterback in college football.
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His most recent headline was entering the transfer portal, ultimately landing at Baylor with Dave Aranda, the school where his dad once played.
It’s now Lagway’s time to begin a new era, much like it is for the Auburn Tigers, who he will face on Saturday in Atlanta in the Aflac Kickoff Game.
With the conversations already in full swing from many about what all the game will hold, one thing is for certain for Auburn Head Coach Alex Golesh—Lagway has a high ceiling.
“A fully healthy version of DJ Lagway, I would imagine, is the best version of him and presents a ton of challenges, one with what he can do with his arm, but two, certainly what he can do with his legs,” Golesh said. “In all honesty, if this is the best version of him, is one of the best quarterbacks in the entire country.”
Lagway’s performance has not always been the most consistent in terms of solid play, but the now junior has had some high points in his first two years of college football.
The former Gator finished up his two seasons in Gainesville with a 62-percent completion rate with 4,179 yards, 28 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. His best game of the 2025 campaign came in a big upset win at home against the Texas Longhorns, when he went 21-for-28, 298 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.
That is in the past now though, and Aranda has sought to put his quarterback in a position where he can help his team be successful.
It’s not the first time that Golesh has faced Lagway though, as his USF Bulls pulled off an upset in Gainesville last year. That game has not changed his opinion of Lagway though.
“I think understanding what he is at his best is probably more important than what we saw a year ago,” Golesh said. “The thinking that I know seeing in person and preparing him for a year ago is that that’s a tough dude, a really, really tough dude—played through a ton in terms of physically. You’re going to go play quarterback as a true freshman at Florida, you’ve got to have something to you… “I’ve got about as much respect as anybody (for Lagway). That’s the one message that our kids are getting.”
Tigers Defensive Coordinator DJ Durkin is also having to prepare for what Lagway will present as much as any coach, trying to get his defense ready to defend the dual-threat quarterback.
The sentiment does not dip with Durkin either, as he knows exactly what the junior can bring to the table.
“He looks like they’re supposed to,” Durkin said. “He can make all the throws, he can beat you throwing the ball well with his legs. We’re preparing for that.”
Lagway has transitioned to a new offensive coordinator as well, learning the terminology used by Jake Spavital and the rest of the Bears offense.
Durkin understands that Lagway has had plenty of time now to get in tune with what he will be operating, knowing that will be a threat as Auburn will have to be locked in on the whole field.
“I think, obviously, it’s a fresh start for him,” Durkin said. “Coach (Jake) Spavital does a great job with the offense and I’m sure, through their offseason, he’s been comfortable with what they’re doing… Our guys know it will be a great challenge for us and anytime you have a guy at that spot, the quarterback spot that is versatile at that can make all the throws, obviously he forces you to defend the whole field.”
It all adds up to be a key player on an offense that was among the best in the Big 12 and nation in 2025, which is what Golesh has preached to his guys constantly in game preparation.
“In terms of who he is on Saturday will be, like I said, if healthy and at his best, I think you can just watch the film going back two years to know that that dude is a weapon,” Golesh said. “Regardless of what I saw (last year), it doesn’t really matter. It’s what our guys believe in. They’re preparing to go play a high-level quarterback.”
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
