ESPN: Florida Gators’ DJ Lagway Tops List as Most Impactful College Football Player for 2025 Seasons
In a major nod to Florida football’s resurgence, ESPN has named Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway the most impactful college football player heading into the 2025 season. Surpassing a stacked list of rising stars — including Jeremiah Smith, Ryan Williams, LaNorris Sellers, Leonard Moore, Arch Manning, and Sam Leavitt — Lagway has emerged as a central figure in the national conversation surrounding college football’s elite.
After an impressive freshman campaign, Lagway’s impact on the Gators has been undeniable. He threw for 1,915 yards with 12 touchdowns and 9 interceptions during the 2024 season. More significantly, Florida went 6-0 in games where Lagway started and finished, a stretch that culminated in a dominant 33-8 victory over Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl. That performance helped propel him into early Heisman Trophy discussions, with sportsbooks like FanDuel already listing him among the top contenders.
ESPN analysts praised Lagway not only for his on-field production but for his leadership and ability to elevate Florida’s overall offense. With him under center, the Gators’ offense looked dynamic and efficient — a far cry from the inconsistency of recent years. His dual-threat abilities and poise in the pocket have drawn comparisons to some of the game’s top former dual-threat QBs.
Heading into 2025, Florida’s roster looks primed for a potential College Football Playoff push. ESPN’s latest post-spring rankings place the Gators at No. 19, a sign of growing national respect. Lagway will be surrounded by a strong supporting cast, including standout wide receivers Eugene Wilson and Aidan Mizell, as well as promising newcomers Dallas Wilson and Dallas Wilson Brown III. The Gators also return key veterans on the offensive line, including Austin Barber and Jake Slaughter — who together bring more than 5,000 career snaps to the table.
Florida head coach Billy Napier, who enters the season with high expectations, expressed confidence in Lagway’s continued development. After a minor shoulder injury at the end of last season, Lagway is expected to be fully healthy and ready for offseason training and preseason preparations. Napier emphasized how Lagway’s work ethic and maturity have already made a significant difference in the team’s culture.
“DJ’s presence changes everything,” Napier said in a recent interview. “He’s the kind of player you build a program around — not just because of his talent, but because of how he leads.”
While other high-profile names like Arch Manning and Jeremiah Smith bring excitement and potential to their respective programs, it’s Lagway’s immediate impact and leadership that have set him apart in ESPN’s rankings. If he continues his upward trajectory, he could not only lead Florida to its first College Football Playoff appearance but also cement his legacy as one of the Gators’ all-time greats.
With the 2025 season on the horizon, all eyes will be on DJ Lagway as he looks to turn potential into postseason success — and maybe even bring a Heisman Trophy back to Gainesville.
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