The Florida Gators are finally trending in the right direction after three years of the Billy Napier era. In fact, many view them as a preseason top-25 team as we head into the summer. Most of that optimism is because of sophomore QB DJ Lagway. However, it is also fair to wonder if too much pressure is being heaped upon the youngster's broad shoulders.
The Lagway hype only continued to pick up steam this week when CBS Sports named its projected 2025 MVP for each top-25 team. Of course, the Gators' QB was the pick for his team, which checks in at No. 18.
"Lagway got his first taste of starting duty last season when Graham Mertz suffered a knee injury against Tennessee," writes Will Backus. "He helped the Gators turn what once looked like a disastrous season around while throwing for 1,915 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has the potential and talent to do so, so much more. So long as he can improve in his decision-making, Lagway should be one of the top offensive players in college football by season's end."
It isn't a stretch to suggest that Lagway will be central to any offensive success the Gators have this fall. After all, when he took over as the starting quarterback, it changed the trajectory of not only the 2024 season but also the future of Napier's tenure in Gainesville.
The Gators were just 3-3 when Lagway assumed the reins of the offense. But with him leading the way, they finished up by going 5-2 to finish the season, including wins over Kentucky, Ole Miss, and LSU.
Still, for Backus to suggest that Lagway will be one of the best players in America by the end of 2025 is asking a lot. After all, he is a player who has only seven starts under his belt.
What's more, he must improve as a passer after completing just 59.9% of his passes a season ago. Likewise, he has to cut down on his mistakes after throwing nine picks with just 12 touchdowns as a freshman.
On the other hand, Lagway will have the benefit of a full offseason as the Gators' unquestioned QB1. Eight months of working on his body in the weight room and refining his mental game with first-team practice reps should accelerate his development.
Many believe that college athletes make the greatest jump between their freshman and sophomore seasons. Thus, all of the Lagway hype is understandable.
Still, Florida must not assume that a QB with less than a full season's worth of starts in his career is ready to be Superman and carry his team to the promised land. Rather, if the Gators want to return to the world of the college football elite, they are going to have to improve in nearly all aspects of the game.
For instance, the defense can't finish 76th nationally in yards allowed per game or 83rd in passing yards allowed per game as it did in 2024. Additionally, Florida can't rank 82nd nationally in fewest penalty yards per game. We could go on, but the point is that 2025 can't rest only on the shoulders of a sophomore QB, even one as talented as Lagway.
Instead, the Gators would be best served to surround their young signal caller with a solid supporting cast so that Lagway doesn't have to walk on water each week while playing in the toughest conference in America. Sure, it would be great for the CBS prediction to come true and Lagway emerge as one of the nation's top stars this fall, but that is asking him to make a massive jump in what is still the early stages of his career.
Instead, Florida fans should hope that this team is improved enough across the board that balance and complementary football rule the day. There's no question that Lagway has all the makings of a fantastic player, but expecting him to be the next Tim Tebow as a sophomore might be a little ambitious.