As five-star quarterback DJ Lagway was moving into his new digs at the University of Florida this week, there to surprise him with some big news was former Gators great Emmitt Smith. Lagway thought he was walking into a football photo shoot, and there was the NFL Hall of Fame running back holding a trophy waiting with the news the Willis (Texas) High native had just won the Gatorade National Player of the Year Award.
“It was truly a blessing to see Emmitt Smith give me the award,” Lagway said. “I was like, it was a surreal moment and I was truly thankful and grateful for it.”
The other finalists were Alabama bound five-star quarterback Julian Sayin and 247Sports’ No. 1 ranked prospect in the 2026 class in quarterback Julian Lewis.
Jeff George was the first recipient of the award back in 1985. Peyton Manning, Kyler Murray and Smith are a few other past winners with Oklahoma’s Jackson Arnold taking home the honor last year.
“It’s truly a dream come true,” Lagway said. He was also named the MaxPreps National Player of the Year in December. “I’ve been dreaming out this since I was a kid. Seeing all the greats that have won this award it’s a good building block of what’s to come in the future.
“It’s a lot of more work to be done but I’m excited.”
Gatorade Players of the Year are not only the best of the best in their respective sports, but they’re also leaders in the classroom and in their communities. Lagway has volunteered locally at eldercare facilities, playing games and creating arts and crafts with the residents. He also has donated his time to a community food bank and as a public speaker at schools and churches in the area, talking with younger students about what it takes to succeed in school as well as athletics. Lagway has maintained a 3.48 GPA in the classroom.
Smith is certainly excited about the trajectory of his alma mater with the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Lagway under center.
“That’s the awesome part about it,” Smith said. “When I found out he was not only from Texas but also committed to the University of Florida it warmed my heart in a number of different ways. And when you meet the young man it’s even better.”
Lagway and Smith were able to spend the day together.
“The opportunities he has before him, to see young men take advantage of these opportunities is what I look forward to,” Smith said. “To give them a little bit of wisdom and little bit of understanding of some of the things they might be gearing to go through is for me it’s just an honor to be in his presence and let him know I have his back but also he has a lot of people rooting for him.”
Tabbed by 247Sports as the No. 4 overall prospect in the 2024 recruiting class, Lagway had a phenomenal senior season setting a Texas Class 6-A state record for touchdown passes tossing 59 of them to just eight interceptions. He completed over 72 percent of his passes for 4,605 yards and also rushed for another 953 yards and 16 more scores.
“I know that if you’re receiving this award right there you’re pretty doggone good,” Smith stated.
Lagway was a terrific player as a junior, throwing for 2,081 yards and 24 touchdowns with another 517 yards rushing and six scores, but he obviously took a big leap in his final prep season.
“I was just thinking about the development piece of it,” Lagway said. “I feel like just all throughout my high school years I’ve been developing and getting better each and every year and I can’t wait to see what’s to come in college with me developing every day. I’m just excited.”
In addition to his physical gifts, the arm talent to make every throw on the field, the fluid movement and the rugged running style, Lagway poured into the film room going into his senior campaign and that set him up for a ton of success on Fridays..
“Just really knowing what the defensive side is going to do before they even do it,” Lagway said. “Recognizing coverages, knowing the weakness of the coverage, knowing different shades and techniques the d-linemen run and gap fits the linebackers do and knowing the ins and outs of the defense and thinking like a defensive player it kind of helped me a lot to find out what their weaknesses and strengths are.”
Lagway was also quick to give credit to his teammates when asked about what someone would see when watching his senior film.
“A lot of great plays from the receivers, a lot of great blocking, a lot of great football,” Lagway said.
Lagway gave Florida head coach Billy Napier and his staff a verbal last December, choosing the Gators over Clemson, Texas A&M and USC among many others. He’s chomping at the bit to start this next chapter.
“I’m just excited to get there and compete and work right away,” Lagway said. “That’s all I’m excited for.”
Napier’s vision was the difference for Lagway in his process.
“It’s really Coach Napier and what he can do on and off the field for me,” Lagway said. “That’s the biggest thing.”
It wasn’t the only thing though.
“Just the fans,” Lagway said of what else caught his eye. “The whole fanbase is amazing. They show a tremendous amount of love when I come up to the games and all the support on social media, and all that good stuff I’m forever grateful for those guys.”
“All this Orange,” Smith added as he was sitting next to Lagway during the interview. “What you talking about.”
We’re talking about Lagway winning the most prestigious award a high school football player can receive.
