When DJ Lagway decided to leave the Florida Gators and transfer to Baylor, the big question was if the former five-star recruit would look like the promising version of himself in 2024 or the player we saw in 2025, one that looked like he wanted to be anywhere but on a football field?
So far, it looks like last year's DJ Lagway is the real DJ Lagway, at least through the first half against Auburn. Lagway has had moments where he's looked good, but he's also had two turnovers and the Baylor offense didn't get on the board until the final 1:30 of the first half and trailed 10-7 at halftime.
Baylor gets the full DJ Lagway experience that Florida knows too well
The frustrating things with Lagway reared their ugly head early on in this one. The interception throw to Auburn linebacker Jared Smith was just head scratching. What exactly did Lagway see here?
DJ Lagway throws an interception for Baylor! 😬 pic.twitter.com/7sMLqIRIBP
— “JordanOnSports” (@JordanOnSports1) September 5, 2026
And, as can often be the case with Lagway, he made another mistake while trying to do something extraordinary at the most inopportune moment.
DJ Lagway tried to hurdle the defender but Auburn punched it out to force the fumble 😳 pic.twitter.com/uT7hzal0LC
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 5, 2026
Look at that play again. Baylor was in field goal range and it was 3rd and short. The defense sniffed out the play and, at that moment, Lagway simply needed to get what he could and live to see another day. Maybe Baylor goes for the field goal, or maybe they roll the dice on 4th and short. But Lagway didn't offer his team that choice. These are mistakes that a player with his talent and experience should be able to avoid in their third season.
Lagway is really frustrating to watch as a fan. I can only imagine how frustrating he is to watch as a coach. Heart medication has to be within reach at all times. And the worst part is that Lagway can sling it with the best of them and when he's right, it makes you believe. He threw for 199 yards in the first half and the back shoulder touchdown pass to Louis Brown IV was a big-time throw.
But Florida fans are happy to let someone else ride this see-saw. Lagway wanted to move on and he needed to move on. It will always be a disappointing footnote in Gators history that a player with Lagway's credentials as a recruit didn't work out. Could Billy Napier have done more for him? Absolutely. Could Lagway have done more for himself? Absolutely. Was Jon Sumrall right to wash his hands of the whole situation? YES!
There's no hard feelings for Lagway here. With other fans, that mileage may vary, but it wasn't working out and Sumrall's style just wasn't a good fit for a player that didn't want to be in Gainesville. Florida had two seasons of the ups and downs that Lagway provides. Now it's Baylor's turn to figure that puzzle out.
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