Gators QB commit DJ Lagway optimistic following daylong visit with No. 1 WR Jeremiah Smith

Another trip to the Swamp is in the books for Florida’s star quarterback commit DJ Lagway.

This time, however, the visit was not centered on him. The Willis (Texas) junior is greeted by a countless amount of staff members each time he arrives at the facilities, and that happened today, but the main reason why he returned on short notice was because of another visitor.

That prospect is five-star prospect and No. 1-ranked wide receiver, Jeramiah Smith, an Ohio State commit.

A priority flip target from Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna, Smith is a quarterback’s dream at wide receiver. He is No. 2 player overall in the On3 Industry Ranking and was treated as such during his first Gators visit of the year.

“We had Jeremiah Smith on campus, so that was pretty huge,” Lagway told Gators Online’s Pat O’Donnell. “That was the reason why I came down here, you know, to talk with him and recruit him. I hope he had a great time.”

Lagway: The Gators have a shot with Smith

The message from Lagway was simple and straight to the point. Smith is a program-changer at the position and one who could help catapult the Gators back into the national discussion on Saturdays.

“It was great,” Lagway said. “The message was, ‘Go somewhere you’re wanted and where you’re needed, and I feel like you’re needed here at Florida.’ I feel like he had a great time and enjoyed it as well.”

With that said, is Lagway optimistic after Smith received the red-carpet treatment from both himself and the staff?

“Oh yes sir, I definitely think we can get him to flip. It’s just going to take time and effort in recruiting him,” Lagway replied.

Lagway sees growth during year two of the Billy Napier era

As for his own experience, there is not much, if anything, Lagway has not seen in Gainesville; however, he has definitely seen on-field improvement from his visit at the beginning of the month.

“It was good just to really be able to see the transformation from the first practice to today. It was huge and I’m excited to see where it heads,” Lagway said.

“I also talked to (wide receivers) coach (Billy) Gonzales. Getting to meet him for the first time, I like what he stands for.”

On3 Biography

Already thought of as one of the elite playmakers in the Lone Star State, DJ Lagway developed into one of the top quarterbacks in the entire country during his junior season of high school.

Lagway did that by embracing a coaching change going into the 2022 season. He bought into the new offensive system from Trent Miller – a more wide-open passing attack that relies on the quarterback to make quick decisions. The hard work paid off as Lagway threw for 2,081 yards and 24 scores in 2022. He also completed 67% of his passes, which was up from 55% in his sophomore season.

“The freakish stats weren’t there, and DJ was concerned about being labeled as an athlete and being recruited by his potential,” Miller told On3. “He wanted to focus on his craft as a quarterback. I’ve been coaching for 15 years, and he’s the most talented quarterback and most quality young man I’ve been around. He’s the whole package if you put it all together. I’ve never been around a kid who wants it more for himself and also his whole team.”

Away from football, Lagway enjoys playing basketball and baseball. He plans to major in sports medicine in college. Lagway’s parents are Nikita and John Derek Lagwy. Lagway’s father played running back for Baylor from 1997-2001 under coaches Dave Roberts and Kevin Steele.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.

The post Gators QB commit DJ Lagway optimistic following daylong visit with No. 1 WR Jeremiah Smith appeared first on On3.