Florida football in the SEC is no picnic—it’s the Valley of Death. Every week, you’re staring down powerhouse programs with playoff dreams, and if you don’t make the cut, you’re just another cautionary tale. That’s where the Gators landed in 2024. Sure, they scraped together a respectable 8-5 finish, but in the ruthless SEC jungle, anything short of a playoff run is a failure. Billy Napier knows that better than anybody. The heat’s already cranked up for 2025, and smack dab in the middle of the firestorm is DJ Lagway, Florida’s electric true freshman QB. With expectations soaring and comparisons to Heisman winners like Jayden Daniels and even the absurdly talented Travis Hunter, the question is: can Lagway rise above the chaos?

The pressure’s unreal in the SEC for the 2025 season, where like 10 heavy-hitters battle for just 3 playoff spots. The Gators’ season was a rollercoaster, and Lagway’s debut felt like a teaser trailer for a blockbuster we’re dying to see. Lagway posted over 1,150 passing yards, 7 tuddies, and 5 picks in six starts, leading Florida to a 5-1 record in his games. His lone loss? No. 2 ranked Georgia. Lagway tweaked his hamstring in that game, sidelining him. On On3’s January 24 episode of Ari & Andy, Andy Staples nailed it, saying, “Even when he became the full-time starter, then he got hurt. So, you can make the excuses, but once he’s the guy next year, there are no excuses. He’s gotta deliver.”

Staples isn’t wrong. Lagway’s nine interceptions last season? Too high for SEC standards. He’s got to trim that number. But don’t get it twisted—the kid’s got the juice. Ari Wasserman went as far as to say, “There just isn’t another quarterback in college football I would take over him to start for my team starting next year, Week One.” That’s big talk, especially in a league where quarterbacks don’t just play; they either dominate or disappear.

Here’s the kicker: Lagway isn’t just fighting for wins—he’s up against narrative juggernauts like Travis Hunter. Hunter didn’t need a playoff berth to make history in 2024. He bagged 15 receiving touchdowns, over 1,200 yards, snagged 4 picks. And walked away with every trophy that you can possibly win. That dual-threat madness set a bar so high it’s practically in orbit. As Staples pointed out, “Travis Hunter transcended losses. He did something we’ve never seen.” For Lagway to sniff Heisman glory, he’ll need to ball out on a Hunter-esque level.

DJ Lagway’s 2025 Heisman season?

So, what does DJ Lagway’s 2025 campaign need to look like for him to crash the Heisman party? First off, let’s keep it real: the kid’s got the tools. His arm talent is ridiculous. His mobility makes him a nightmare for defenses, and when the lights shine brightest, he steps up. But as Ari Wasserman pointed out, it’s about consistency: “If he gets the completion percentage up based on what we saw from the explosiveness. It’s going to be pretty, pretty interesting.”

Here’s the deal—Jayden Daniels proved you don’t need a playoff spot to win the Heisman. Back in 2023. Daniels threw for over 3,800 yards, rushed for 1,100, and piled up 50 total touchdowns without a playoff ticket. Lagway has the same type of upside and vibes. The Gators brought in firepower this offseason, including wideout Michael Sturdivant, also they got RB Jaden Baugh who run like defense owes him rent money. Add upcoming 5-star WR Dallas Wilson to the mix, and Lagway’s got no excuses. Also, the Gators finished No.9 in recruiting class.

Look, let’s not sugarcoat it: the SEC is brutal. It’s like the Hunger Games of college football. Every game is a war, and every team is literally armed to the teeth and stacked to its core. Lagway’s got to keep those interceptions in check, spread the ball, and show that killer instinct. And yeah, he’s got to have that moment—the one where you drop your popcorn because the kid just did something unreal.

Still, the hype around him is diabolical. Ari Wasserman gave big props, maybe too big of a prop.“DJ Lagway has a chance to be special—special, special—in a way that we probably haven’t seen. Like, there’s going to be good quarterbacks every year who put up big stats and make nice throws. I think it’s possible that DJ Lagway’s ceiling is, look back in 10 years and go, ‘Holy—that was the best player of the decade.’” Don’t really want to agree with him, but the kid’s got mad potential. Hopefully, he doesn’t turn out to be like another Anthony Richardson. No diss.

As Florida gears up for the 2025 gauntlet, all eyes are on Lagway. The Gators’ stacked roster and a chip on their shoulder might just be the recipe for chaos in the SEC. But for Lagway, the stakes are clear: greatness or bust. Whether he follows in Jayden Daniels’ footsteps or carves out a Travis Hunter-like legacy. One thing’s for sure—2025 is going to be a must-watch TV in Gainesville. Buckle up, Gator Nation. It’s finna get wild in the swamp.