DJ Lagway high on Athlon’s list of the best QBs in college football

Athlon Sports’ Steven Lassan is a big believer in the potential of Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway. Lassan has ranked every college football starting quarterback for the 2025 season—and the UF sophomore is very high on his list.

Wrote Lassan: “Ranking the quarterbacks by conference or nationally is no easy task. To help compile the rankings, there was some projection involved for 2025. This was not a ranking of quarterbacks only based on accomplishments so far or pro potential. Quarterbacks not guaranteed the starting job as of late August were lowered in the rankings. All factors – pure talent, supporting cast, having a clear hold on the No. 1 position, previous production/career stats, 2025 projection and scheme changes (just to name a few) – were considered and projected to rank all 136 quarterbacks in the nation for ’25. This list could look a lot different by September, especially once some of the battles are settled across the FBS level.”

Another SEC quarterback tops the list

Arch Manning of Texas came in at No. 1. A redshirt sophomore, he has appeared in 12 games with two starts thus far for the Longhorns and is 2-0 as a starter. His best outing to date: Manning went 26-of-31 (83.9 percent) for 325 passing yards and two touchdowns in a win last fall vs. Mississippi State.

Lagway checks in at No. 5. Here is what Lassan wrote about DJ:

“Lagway’s health is one of the biggest question marks in the SEC. If 100 percent all season, Lagway will contend for the No. 1 spot on this list. After limited participation in the spring, a calf injury slowed the Texas native in the fall. Florida’s hopes of building off last year’s eight wins and a trip to the playoff rest heavily on Lagway’s right arm, so the sophomore’s injury status looms large for coach Billy Napier. In 12 appearances last year, Lagway’s big-play ability and potential to push the ball downfield was on display with a 10.0 yards per attempt and 12 completions of 40-plus yards. Over 115 completions, Lagway threw for 1,915 yards and 12 touchdowns and added 101 yards on the ground. Assuming Lagway is at full strength and suffers no setbacks in the fall, he should easily go from breakout quarterback to one of the nation’s top signal-callers in ‘25.”

Here is the complete top 10

1. Arch Manning, Texas
2. Cade Klubnik, Clemson
3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
4. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
5. DJ Lagway, Florida
6. Drew Allar, Penn State
7. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
8. Carson Beck, Miami
9. John Mateer, Oklahoma
10. Julian Sayin, Ohio State

 As a true freshman last season, Lagway threw for 1,915 yards, 12 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, starting seven games after veteran Graham Mertz went down with a torn ACL. The Gators went 6–1 with Lagway starting, closing on a four-game win streak — all while he played through a hamstring injury.

Lagway did not throw in spring practice due to a lower body/shoulder injury. Additionally, he has been slowed this preseason with a calf injury. Lagway did not take part in either of UF’s two scrimmages this month. However, he took a step forward in Monday’s practice. UF coach Billy Napier revealed that Lagway participated in 11v11 drills for the first time in training camp.

Lagway on Tuesday was named to the Coaches Preseason All-SEC third team.