One of the main defenses for keeping Billy Napier on as the head football coach for Florida in 2025 was the fear of losing DJ Lagway if Napier was let go. And as much as we muse about the offensive schemes that Napier employs, Lagway is talented enough that he can elevate Florida's offense to the playoffs and beyond in 2025 and 2026.
But Lagway won't be in Gainesville forever, and if he morphs into who we hope he morphs into, he will be off to the NFL after the 2026 season. Florida has a QB committed for the class of 2026, who they hope will be the eventual heir to the throne in Gainesville.
Florida Football: Next In Line
We highlighted Will Griffin back in March of 2024 when he committed to Florida as a rising junior. We said at the time based off his sophomore film that:
"We would advocate that on film, Griffin feels like a no brainier to place in the top 100 overall. One thing we tend to see with top-tier QBs is that they play on top-tier teams. As a result, they often have clean pockets and minimal pressure in their face to make highlight reel throws.
What stands out for Griffin, is that while he plays on one of the better teams in the state of Florida (Jesuit was 10-3 last season), he didn't have all day to pick a target and throw.
In fact, often, he had pressure in his face, forcing him to either roll out or climb the pocket. He still kept his eyes downfield and kept his cool to deliver strike after strike."
Griffin just dropped his 2024 film from his junior season and many of the things we said last year still ring true even though statistically he didn't have as strong of a 2024 campaign as his 2023 one.
Huge thanks to my teammates and coaches for another great season! Senior campaign loading ⏳ #AMDG https://t.co/2nfmf2vHBy@JesuitTigers_FB @UANextFootball @TheUCReport @Rivals @GregSmithRivals @On3Recruits @adamgorney @Corey_Bender @RivalsFriedman @CraigHaubert…
— Will Griffin 4⭐️ 2026 QB (@WillGriffin__11) January 15, 2025
He didn't have consistent, clean pockets to work with, but even though he is a running-based QB, his first instinct isn't always to run. Griffin is willing to stand in there and take a hit in order to get the ball downfield.
He is also accurate with his out routes, and when he does run, he is not afraid to bulldoze you over.
He's listed at 6'3" and 225 pounds, but his ranking is still all over the map. He was an Under Armour All-American as a junior, and ESPN has him ranked 58th in the country. On3, meanwhile, has him outside the top 200.
And because his strengths are dealing well with pressure in his face and running guys over, we don't actually expect his ranking to rise this spring and summer during the camp circuits. Much like Lagway, abilities that show up once the pads are one don't shine in off-season camps that are the basis for shuffling in rankings.
There is still a year to go before Griffin would step foot on campus in Gainesville, but he claims he isn't taking any visits this offseason. If everything goes according to plan, Griffin won't see real action until 2027.
But also, if everything goes according to plan, Griffin will take that baton in 2027 and keep the pipeline of QBs in Gainesville rolling.