It’s no secret that the Florida Gators have underperformed this season. Still, for quarterback DJ Lagway and his squad, overcoming adversity is in their DNA.
As a true freshman, Lagway began his 2024 campaign as a backup to senior Graham Mertz. Mertz got injured late in the team’s opener, giving DJ the reins the following week. He seized the opportunity, tossing for 456 yards and 3 touchdowns, while completing 72% of his passes.
“I always prepared like I was the starter,” DJ revealed to Complex News anchor Eutel Wallace. “Anything can happen, so you always gotta be ready for your opportunity.”
The Texas native continued to impress, ultimately earning the distinction of QB1. Lagway led Florida to a 6-1 record in games he started—an impressive feat considering the Gators’ strength of schedule, which was widely considered the toughest in the nation—and a dominant Gasparilla Bowl victory in which he took home MVP honors.
His rise didn’t just propel Florida to its first winning season since 2020. It landed DJ on Jordan Brand’s radar. In August, he inked a deal with the label, becoming the first collegiate quarterback ever to sign with Jumpman.
Despite the early losses in 2025, Lagway continues to bring leadership and energy to the Gators as they focus on improving. Coming off of a bye week, they’ll aim to prove their mettle against division rival Texas on Saturday.
“Playing in the SEC, every week is a big game,” he said. “It’s gonna be a dog fight every time [we] step on the field.”
To learn more about performing in a high intensity environment, Complex visited Gainesville to chop it up with DJ about donning a Gators uniform, finding balance in his pursuit of greatness, and becoming a Jordan Brand athlete. Check out the video above.
This is Snapshot, a special edition of Complex News, powered by Jordan brand, where we link with rising stars for a glimpse into their offseason lives and who they are away from the game.