UF freshman QB DJ Lagway is a fascination, but will he be a factor for Gators?

GAINESVILLE — Florida freshman DJ Lagway is the Gators’ quarterback of the future , but his immediate impact remains a mystery.

Lagway’s role could be undecided or top secret as UF prepares for Saturday’s season-opening visit from No. 19 Miami at the sold-out Swamp .

The nation’s No. 1 QB recruit unquestionably has been a fascination since he arrived in January. Many anticipated he’d become a factor, pitching in as a change of pace to veteran starter Graham Mertz .

“If Mertz clearly is the best quarterback, then he will play most of the game,” said former UF Heisman Trophy quarterback and coach Steve Spurrier, never one to shy away from using two QBs. “But Lagway’s a talent; he really is.”

The 6-foot-3, 239-pound Lagway is a dual threat unlike the 6-foot-2 ¾, 216-pound Mertz, a pocket passer whose 2023 season ended when he broke his collarbone while running the football at Missouri.

Both Lagway’s arm and feet turned heads during fall camp.

Asked what stands out among his new teammate’s talents, tight end Hayden Hansen said, “His cuts.”

“If he’s running on the outside, scrambling and the defender is kind of a little bit over, he’ll stick his foot in the ground and he’s gone,” Hansen continued. “It’s really fun to watch.”

Tight end Arlis Boardinghm marveled at Lagway’s arm strength, highlighted by a long touchdown pass to freshman speedster Tank Hawkins during the Gators’ Aug. 10 scrimmage.

“When it’s all said and done, you’ll know DJ has a cannon for an arm because he’ll launch it,” Boardingham said. “You’ve seen in the scrimmage clips … It was pretty far throw. It was on the money, too.”

Lagway has also been hit-or-miss and at times turnover-prone; he threw multiple interceptions during the team’s Aug. 17 scrimmage.

Yet Lagway, who turned 19 in Aug. 13, has the ability to move past mistakes while making mental notes.

“He’s very mature and he’s a great competitor,” coach Billy Napier said. “He’s learning. It’s healthy: harder is better for a young player. It’s the only way that you improve.

“You got to make mistakes.”

Mistakes are teaching moments in fall camp but can be killers on game days.

Mertz’s accuracy, consistency and calm established him as the Gators’ starter and leader. Replacing him with Lagway and potentially disrupting his rhythm could be risky.

“It’s his team,” Napier proclaimed at SEC Media Days.

Lagway’s time will come. Until then, a player who accounted for 71 touchdowns to earn Gatorade’s National Player of the Year will be a curiosity.

Given Florida’s history, visions of Tim Tebow and  Chris Leak circa 2006 are hard to shake. Back then, a freshman future legend complemented a well-established senior en route to a national championship.

Thunder and lightning could strike twice, though a winning season would be a victory after three consecutive losing ones.

Lagway might not inspire Tebow comparisons this season, but already there are similarities.

“He’s a gamer. He’s an athlete — that’s really all I can say,” veteran offensive tackle Austin Barber said. “He looks the part.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Miami at UF

When: 3:30 p.m.

Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

TV: ABC