By Jeffrey Cohen | Sports Editor
Junior quarterback DJ Lagway came into college with hopes of being a dominant force in the SEC. He was ranked as the No. 1 quarterback in the class of 2024 out of Willis High School and joined a historically rich Florida program.
Lagway looked like he could have been next in a line of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks to play for the Gators. He tried to follow in the footsteps of Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel and Tim Tebow.
Lagway’s legacy in Gainesville did not adhere to that blueprint.
He threw 28 touchdowns to 23 interceptions across the two seasons he donned the blue and orange, while failing to break more than 2,300 passing yards in either campaign.
It was Baylor legend Robert Griffin III that came calling when Lagway entered the transfer portal following a pair of underwhelming years at Florida. Griffin III told Lagway that he should go to a program where its success is on Lagway’s back.
That led him to Baylor, his parents’ alma mater. It seemed like the best answer with the family connection and with the Bears coming off a disappointing 5-7 season. Once he put on the green and gold, he finally felt free.
“I’m having fun,” Lagway said. “Playing football last year, I always say I wasn’t doing this.”
Lagway has embraced the increased intensity as the team has transitioned from spring ball to fall camp. He has seen the group band together with more head-to-head action between Baylor’s offense and defense.
“It’s a lot more competitive,” Lagway said. “A lot of playing complimentary football going back and forth … We’re building good football right now.”
While the goal is for Lagway to settle into a new offense and find his place, offensive coordinator Jake Spavital wants to push him further. He tries to keep Lagway on his toes as practice gets progressively more situation-focused.
“I’m trying to put him in so many uncomfortable positions to see what he’s capable of doing, and he’s handling it well,” Spavital said. “I love his command, I love his presence, I love the communication that he has and every day we’re getting more comfortable.”
Spavital and the Bears are well aware of Lagway’s physical talents, including his deep ball accuracy, hitting over half of his deep attempts as a freshman. But what makes Lagway a premiere quarterback is his mentality. When he is at his most confident is when he performs at a top level.
“When he plays confident, I think he’s one of the best quarterbacks I’ve seen,” Spavital said. “I want to make sure that he is as confident as possible going into the first game of the season.”
Lagway is no stranger to the bright lights. He started 19 games for Florida with 10 of them going against top-25 opponents. Playing in a conference known for stacking the rankings, Lagway was thrust into the big moments.
Lagway now looks to thrive in a Big 12 that premieres four teams in the preseason AP top-25 compared to the SEC’s nine.
“He’s not going to shy away from any moment,” Spavital said. “It’s always good to know that he gives life to this offense with his talent, and he doesn’t have all the pressure on him.”
The new field general hopes to utilize that history as he tries to lead a different offense.
“What’s different is just experience,” Lagway said. “I’ve played a lot of football, seen a lot of good, seen a lot of bad, so I know what to expect.”
Lagway’s relationships with his teammates have been a catalyst for his growth across the spring and fall.
“When I get around them, everything just slows down for me,” Lagway said. “They’ve welcomed me in with open arms, and I’m thankful for them every step of the way.”
Lagway emphasized a strong bond with his offense while getting accustomed to Spavital’s scheme. That became one of his main focuses on and off the gridiron.
“My goals this camp are to just really connect closer with my guys,” Lagway said. “Find my process for the season and get closer with them, build a chemistry with the receivers.”
While connecting passes on the field, Lagway and his receivers bonded off the field, especially during spring break.
“We went to Miami, had some fun, just to get to know him outside of football and everything,” junior wide receiver Dre’lon Miller said. “Just to get to know him on a deeper level and just his plans on this year was big.”
The relationships between the Baylor quarterback and his pass catchers have grown significantly despite joining the program in January.
“When he first came in, he was getting the feel for it, but once things got the rolling, this thing became a brotherhood,” fifth-year wide receiver Louis Brown IV said. “It just became easy for him to just communicate and just lead by example.”
Lagway is not the only one facing a transition this offseason. The Bears’ offense has gone through an overhaul after losing all but one starter from the beginning of 2025. The drastic change has not only created a challenge for Spavital and his unit but allowed the offense to recreate itself around its new core.
“We’re going to have a different look than what we were last year,” Spavital said. “That’s been a fun part for us, is the packages that we’re creating, kind of the identity, like we still want the identity of, you know, playing hard and playing selfless for each other and not beating ourselves.”
Lagway and his offense look to ramp up as the calendar draws closer to their week one matchup against Auburn in the Aflac Kickoff Game in Atlanta.
