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We’re not yet over a breathtaking college final night. Ohio State and Ryan Day are still running heavy on my mind. The celebration, fun, trophy everything lingers a little more, keeping the season vibe alive. But let’s break the feel-good bubble. It’s over. The good thing is it’s the perfect time to look back and beyond the team that climbed the top of the ladder. ‘Those who couldn’t’ list include Florida State and DJ Lagway, capping off their season with 8-5. Napier has been subject to a lot of hate for an underwhelming output, but he’s seemingly coming back with a banger in 2025. The expensive transfer portal moves, and DJ Lagway’s unexplored potential remains the top USP heading into a long off-season.

Well, Lagway’s superstar instinct calls Mount for even more. Thanks to the Gators, hard-surfaced ground this season.

”I don’t think they necessarily have to win a championship to get that crown. Because I feel people are going to look at the schedule like I am and say they have a tough road’. If they can do what they did at the tail end of this season and start that way in 2025, this is a team that could go nine and three and win a Heisman,” SEC football podcast host Mike said. DJ Lagway is already making rounds as a Heisman Trophy favorite for 2025. Lagway holds the fifth-best odds at +1100 as per BetOnline’s fisrt Heisman odds. The players that can surpass him in the early race are Texas quarterback Arch Manning (+600), LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier (+800), Oklahoma QB John Mateer (+900), and Penn State QB Drew Allar (+1000). Mike’s positive surmise only added to that early projection.

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The Gators had a strong start but flickered later in the run. They plunged into the deep end of an SEC competition. The Gators, 4-4, have shown enough dominance over top teams since receiving a punch in the gut by No. 4 Miami and No. 14 Texas A&M. They forced No. 7 Tennessee to overtime and were tied with No. 2 Georgia through the fourth quarter. However, they failed to reach beyond that four-win mark. Injuries took over the roster, and Napier brutally failed to utilize his weapons against the opponents as the season progressed. The Gators’ post-season hope fell flat on the ground. But you can’t blame it all solely on Napier. If you go back to the early off-season, they were kind of fated to face this gristly schedule. As a result of the conference winning percentages determining the schedule, Florida was handed off three Power Four opponents in the nonconference slate, Texas, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State, as unusual former SEC West opponents. But wait, these dogfights to achieve the height didn’t go in vain as long as DJ Lagway is concerned.

Though statistics are quite unproven now, Lagway has shown why the Gators fans are on their toes for his second year. He is not only ranked as one of the best-returning players under center in the nation but had the second-highest passer rating last season, the second-highest yards-per-pass, and the highest big-time throw rate, according to PFF. After missing the first game of the season with a hamstring injury, Lagway kick-started with a solid performance against LSU. ”If DJ is the reason they win those football games, he could be in the running for a Heisman,” Mike continued.

Despite the shimmering hope, Lagway has a lot to prove. Lagway is certainly not a finished product. He stands as the lowest-graded player by PFF of the 10. The worst QBR (Quarterback rating), the worst Interceptions per attempt, and a poor completion percentage added to the hurt.

What’s your perspective on:

Can DJ Lagway truly lead the Gators to glory, or is he just another overhyped prospect?

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With all that being said and done, Napier has taken a safe approach with his projected main guy in the coming year.

If you judge Lagway by his numbers, you won’t have a panorama view of his worth. 12 TDs and nine picks, over 1,900 yards as a true freshman aren’t the only assets he brought to the table. He bounced back from the toughest schedule. That’s enough to tag him as a GOAT in the making. He handled the business against Tennessee, Texas, and Georgia. Despite not being able to clinch a win, he had his part and let the world see he was preparing to take over soon. The message was clear. It’s just a trial. Tighten up your belts for the action. The Gators’ QB1 is loading.

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Billy Napier issued a QB controversy at Florida with a recent transfer portal move

But in between the flaunts and parade, Napier pulled a rug, bringing Harrison Bailey into the room. Bailey’s career has been quite like an unstable puzzle. Although he had enough numbers under his belt that made him a lucrative catch to Napier, four schools in five years demonstrated the loyalty, only if you know what I mean.

Bailey’s 10 TDs and 3 picks over five seasons showed signs that a QB competition is up ahead at Florida! Be ready with popcorn. He signed up as a backup to Lagway. But from what the instinct is saying, Bailey can very well take up his role in the near future or at least trigger a serious push in him.

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Well, it can work differently as well. Like, he can bring forth strength to the QB2, contributing to the overall offensive growth. As Deshawn Purdie left for the portal. Bailey’s experience can be ideal in case Lagway lags behind or hits a slump in between. He’s like that emergency window we never hope to use but like to have access to. DJ Lagway for the Heisman remains the main door, infallibly.

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Can DJ Lagway truly lead the Gators to glory, or is he just another overhyped prospect?