Class of 2024 Willis 5-Star QB Derek Lagway Jr. has blown up after his sophomore year, becoming the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the nation with big-time programs offering him left and right.
One of those programs, Florida, got Lagway to campus this past weekend on an unofficial visit to watch the Gators host Kentucky in a Top 25 SEC matchup.
I got the chance to catch-up with DJ about his visit, relationship with the staff, the game and more!
Lagway had announced he was visiting Florida on Twitter early on in the week and Florida fans and students did their very best to make him feel welcomed.
Many of the University of Florida's Greek-life houses and student houses put up banners and signs with the phrase #Lagway2TheSwamp all over campus. I asked DJ his thoughts on all the signs and banners, and he said, "it was a blessing" and that he really had a great time seeing all the love he was getting from fans and students.
This wasn't Lagway's first trip to Gainesville as he had made a trip in July before the dead period. The Gators have made a great impression on him to have him come back two months later. I asked Lagway what it was about Florida that made him want to make another trip and he mentioned that it was "really the family environment the coaches show, and I just had to go check out the atmosphere for myself".
That atmosphere was on full display Saturday as the Gators hosted Top 25 and SEC foe Kentucky at the Swamp. When asked about what experiencing that kind of SEC big-game environment was like, DJ said it was absolutely "amazing, I definitely enjoyed being in that type of environment" even though the Gators lost a close game.
Lastly, I asked the star quarterback about which coaches on staff he has made the best relationships with, and he said he really enjoyed talking with Coach O'Hara, Coach Hamilton and most of all Coach Napier. He also mentioned the fact that he really like Napier's demeanor and the way he carries himself.
Lagway has no Unofficials scheduled so far on the horizon and mentioned his main focus is on his game this week against district rival Conroe High School. DJ got injured in Week 2 against Temple and really showed how tough he was, playing through injury in a loss against New Caney last Friday. Expect Lagway and the Wildkats to bounce back this week and play a big game against Conroe.
