DJ Lagway is the guy to watch in 2025. Because this one could either set The Swamp on fire this fall or burn down fast. Florida’s got the pieces. They’ve got a balanced offense and a defense that can actually hit back. And most importantly, they’ve got an able QB under center. The 19-year-old phenom went 6-0 as a starter last season. He stepped in like a vet when Graham Mertz went down and kept the Gators afloat. And now, fans aren’t just hoping; they’re expecting Florida to crash the CFP party. But there’s a big risky question hovering over Gainesville. 

Cbssportscfb asked an interesting question in their Instagram upload on May 8. “Can Florida be a playoff team in 2025? 👀” The post featured a quote by CBSSports analyst Josh Pate, which read—“Anyone who goes 9-3 against that schedule should be a playoff team.” Yeah. Florida has the weapons to make a CFP run despite an overwhelming schedule that could terrorize them. But for that run to happen, they need to have certain assurances, starting with the health of DJ Lagway.

“If DJ Lagway is healthy at quarterback, this is truly a top ten offensive and defensive potential, you know if they maximize their capability, it’s the kind of team that could do both,” Josh Pate said. “Which means this is a kind of team with a playoff calibre team except for the small pesky detail that’s their schedule.” But let’s pause here for a moment. Because DJ Lagway’s shoulder is spreading tension among fans. 

DJ Lagway got back on the football field on April 28th, as shown in his social media post from his workout at CORTX Sports Performance. He sat out for most of the spring practice because of a sore right shoulder, which stemmed from a shoulder discomfort last season. He’s also recovering from a muscle issue but is expected to be 100% by summer. So for now, Billy Napier and his staff have been cautious, keeping their gem on a tight recovery leash. During the spring game, he only played five snaps after missing a huge part of spring practices. The message is clear, and that is, no risks. But here’s where it gets dicey. 

DJ Lagway and the Gators face a challenging schedule

Billy Napier and the Gators have one of the hardest schedules in 2025. “They face seven of the top 14 teams in the college football playoff odds,” Josh Pate pointed out. It’s like running through a buzzsaw with a freshman QB who’s just getting off an injury list. Most analysts feel that the Week 3 trip to LSU would be the early litmus test after playing LIU Sharks and South Florida Bulls. Come out there alive, and DJ Lagway and the Gators have a shot to build something special. 

Starting with LSU, Florida will have to face tough opponents, which include Miami, Texas, Texas A&M, Georgia, Ole Miss, and Florida State. Brutal right? Josh Pate said, “You got Florida going 10-2, they’re a top lock to make the playoffs.” But given their gauntlet of a schedule, he added, “A 9-3 Florida should be in the playoff and I just say that not even knowing what the rest of the field looks like. But anyone who goes 9-3 against that schedule should be a playoff team but if we’re healthy at quarterback. That’s the big if.” 

So it all comes back to DJ Lagway. His health is the hinge point. And whether the Gators will make noise or go quiet will depend on the shoulder.