DJ Lagway's insulting ranking overshadows four Florida Gators landing on CBS Sports' Top 150 players list

The Florida Gators have one of the best quarterbacks in all of college football in DJ Lagway. He was named the top returning quarterback in all of college football by multiple analysts and it's well deserved. Not only is Lagway seen as the best returning quarterback in college football, but he's also viewed highly from […]

Tyler Forness NFL & College Football News Writer
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Florida quarterback DJ Lagway (2) throws the ball during a NCAA football game between Tennessee and Florida in Neyland Stadium, in Knoxville, Tenn., Oct. 12, 2024.
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway (2) throws the ball during a NCAA football game between Tennessee and Florida in Neyland Stadium, in Knoxville, Tenn., Oct. 12, 2024. Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Florida Gators have one of the best quarterbacks in all of college football in DJ Lagway. He was named the top returning quarterback in all of college football by multiple analysts and it's well deserved.

Not only is Lagway seen as the best returning quarterback in college football, but he's also viewed highly from an NFL Draft perspective, ranking second among all college players from the 2024 season and beyond. However, not everyone views him in such high regard.


DJ Lagway insulted in CBS Sports' top 150 list

Let's take a look at how the Gators ranked overall, as they placed four players on the list from CBS Sports' Blake Brockermeyer.

34. Caleb Banks, DT

Banks being this high makes a ton of sense. After he emerged at the end of the season, there were talks about him potentially going in the top 50 picks if he were to have come out this year. Next to Cam Jackson, Banks got 7.0 sacks and was a penetrating force on the interior. His return this season is going to make a massive impact for 


57. DJ Lagway, QB

This is where things get off the rails. Lagway being this lwo considering how good he was at the end of last season feels like a major insult. Here is what Brokermeyer wrote about Lagway.

Big-framed sophomore with huge upside as the No. 1 QB recruit in the class of 2024. Threw for 1,610 yards, 11 TDs and 7 INTs, and added 100 rushing yards before suffering an injury against Georgia. Flashes arm strength and mobility but still raw. Future first-round tools if development continues.

This feels like he just looked at the box score and didn't watch him grow and develop throughout the season. When he's consistently named the best returning college quarterback while having Cade Klubnik, LaNorris Sellers, and Garrett Nussmeier at 2, 3, and 4 just feels completely off base.


63. Jake Slaughter, C

Slaughter is one of the better players on the roster. He was an All-American this past season and projects to be a potential first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He anchors a veteran offensive line that will be the catalyst of a potential playoff run.


66. Tyreak Sapp, DL

Having two defensive linemen in the top 66 players is a great sign for the Gators as they look to take things to another level. Like Banks, Sapp had 7.0 sacks last year and quarterbacks will be in a tough spot with both of them on the field.


How can you have 12 quarterbacks above Lagway after how well he played, especially since he had to modify his game after suffering a major hamstring injury against Georgia? Lagway's growth in the pocket was significant and he won every game he both started and finished.

It's baffling that Lagway is being disrespected like this. The likes of Haynes King, Drew Allar, and John Mateer all being over him is insane. 

Don't worry, though. The world will soon know.