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Bradley Collier
DJ Lagway Named 2023-24 Gatorade National Football Player Of The Year
In its 39th year of honoring the nation's most elite high school athletes for excellence on and off the field of play, Gatorade today announced DJ Lagway of Willis High School in Willis, Texas is the 2023-24 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year.
By Gatorade
Lagway joins an impressive group of former Gatorade National Football Players of the Year who have combined for more than six NFL MVPs awards, 31 Pro Bowl appearances, six NFL first round draft picks and two Hall of Famers. Lagway was selected from more than one million other student-athletes who play high school football nationwide after being named a Top-3 finalist for the top-honor in high-school sports.
Former NFL star, Florida Gator and 1986-87 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year Emmitt Smith surprised Lagway with the trophy at the University of Florida surrounded by Lagway’s family, coaches and teammates. Lagway, who arrived on campus for move-in that morning, thought he was needed for a content shoot on the football field but walked in to find Smith holding the trophy instead. Afterwards, Lagway got a taste of the pro athlete experience with a styling session, photoshoot and media interviews.
By Gatorade
Gatorade Player of the Year is the top honor in high school sports, celebrating the nation’s best high school athletes for their success on and off the playing surface. From CEOs and coaches to star athletes, Gatorade Player of the Year winners showcase the power of sport, touting an all-star group of football alumni that includes Peyton Manning, Nick Singleton and Jackson Arnold.
Gatorade Players of the Year are not only the best of the best in their respective sports, but they’re also leaders in the classroom and in their communities. Lagway has volunteered locally at eldercare facilities, playing games and creating arts and crafts with the residents. He also has donated his time to a community foodbank and as a public speaker at schools and churches in the area, speaking with younger students about what it takes to succeed in school as well as athletics. Lagway has maintained a 3.48 GPA in the classroom and is enrolled at the University of Florida, where he will play football next fall.
“Selecting Lagway as the top high school football player in the nation is a testament to his hard work on the field, in the classroom and in his community,” said Gatorade president and general manager Michael Del Pozzo. “His athleticism combined with his contributions in his community and classroom embody what it takes to be a Gatorade Player of the Year.”
As part of Gatorade’s commitment to breaking down barriers in sport, every Player of the Year also receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner. To date, the Gatorade Player of the Year program has provided more than $4.9 million in grants to winners across more than 1,900 organizations.
To learn more about the Gatorade Player of the Year program, check out past winners or to nominate student-athletes, visit playeroftheyear.gatorade.com.
Lovejoy ISD
Lovejoy setter, Averi Carlson, named Gatorade National Player of the Year
Carlson was recently named at the Gatorade Texas Player of the Year and became the Gatorade National Player of the Year on Tuesday when she was invited to the school for what she thought was going to be an interview about being the Gatorade Texas Player of the Year.
Lovejoy ISD (@lovejoyisd1)
Carlson, a four-time All-American, certainly deserves the award as she has posted quite the career with the Lovejoy Volleyball team. During her career with Lovejoy, Carlson recorded over 4,480 assists. The setter has helped lead the Leopards to three-straight state titles including during the 2021 season where she was named the MVP of the Class 5A State Championship match. During the 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-20) victory over Grapevine in the state title match, Carlson posted 10 kills, 16 assists, and 10 digs.
Shana Willeford (VYPE Media)
Carlson, who graduated from Lovejoy early and will be attending Baylor this Spring semester where she will also get rolling on practice with the Bears' volleyball team, is the first Dallas-area volleyball player to ever win the national player of the year and the second-ever from Texas after Katy Seven Lakes' Ally Batenhorst won the award just last season!
The Gatorade National Player of the Year award recognizesthe nation's most outstanding athlete on academic achievements, athletic excellence, community involvement, and outstanding character. The award has been handed out since 1995!
The Lovejoy Leopard volleyball instagram posted about the accomplishment on Wednesday:
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