Lagway was named Mr. Texas Football on Friday afternoon, which annually recognizes the most outstanding high school player in the state. Lagway was named the Bobby Dodd National Back of the Year by the Atlanta Touchdown Club earlier in the day, an award billed as the high school Heisman. Former UF quarterback Chris Leak won the award in 2002 and Gators defensive back Vernon Hargreaves in 2012.
Lagway was named the MaxPreps National Player of the Year on Monday after a decorated career at Willis (Texas) High School. He will be honored as Mr. Texas Football on the field at the Texas Bowl between Oklahoma State and Texas A&M on Wednesday.
Gators head coach Billy Napier placed an urgency on signing Lagway to build around in the future.
“The biggest compliment I can give DJ is that, as much attention as he has received throughout the recruiting process, he’s a better human being, he’s a better leader,” Napier said. “His character, his faith, his example, the way he treats people, his work ethic, his focus, his drive to get better.
“There’s substance to him. Ultimately, we all know DJ’s talented, but that’s not what makes him exceptional, in my opinion. It’s these intangible things that make him a difference maker.”
Lagway led Willis a 12-1 season and reached the regional semifinals before falling to eventual state champion DeSoto. Lagway set the Texas Class 6A single-season record for passing yards (4,606). He finished his senior season with a career-best 957 yards rushing and totaled 74 touchdowns (58 passing, 16 rushing). For his four-year career at Willis, Lagway totaled 8,392 passing yards, 2,196 rushing yards, 100 passing touchdowns and 29 rushing scores.
Lagway is scheduled to join the Gators as a mid-year enrollee.
KIMBER TO TRANSFER
Gators cornerback Jalen Kimber has entered the transfer portal. He is the 17th UF player to enter the portal since the end of Florida’s 5-7 season.
Kimber participated in Senior Day in the final regular-season game and is scheduled to earn his undergraduate degree by summer. A fourth-year junior, Kimber started 11 games last season and finished with 23 tackles, five pass breakups and a fumble recovery. His most notable contribution in two seasons with the Gators was an interception return for a touchdown in a home win over USF in 2022.
Kimber, who is from…
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