GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Sophomore quarterback, DJ Lagway, was named to the Maxwell Award watch list after playing one of the hardest ranked schedules in the country and leading the team to a winning record.

The former No. 1 recruited quarterback, helped lead the Gators to an 8-5 season record after starting quarterback, Graham Mertz, tore his ACL in the game against Tennessee. Lagway recorded seven starts and went 6-1 for the season helping the Gators make their way back to a bowl game, where they defeated Tulane 33-8 in the Gasparilla Bowl. The freshman quarterback became the Gasparilla Bowl’s first 300-yard passer and for his efforts, Lagway was awarded the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl MVP.

At the end of his freshman season, Lagway totaled 1,915 yards on 115-of-192 passing for a 59.9% completion. Lagway totaled 12 touchdowns, rushed 51 times for 101 yards and tied Chris Leak for most wins as a UF true freshman quarterback.

For his freshman year performance, Lagway was named to the FWAA Freshman All-American Team, an ESPN Freshman All-American, a 247Sports True Freshman All-American, an On3 True Freshman Al-American, a PFF True Freshman All-American, the CFN Freshman Quarterback of the Year, a CFN Freshman All-American and earned an SEC Freshman of the Week honor following his game against LSU.

Starting in 1937, the Maxwell Award is given to the most outstanding player in college football and was named after Robert “Tiny” Maxwell, who helped shaped the public’s perception of the sport as a player, sportswriter and football official.

The full watch list consists of 80 players and will be narrowed down to a group of semifinalists on Nov. 11, 2025. From there three finalists will be revealed on Nov. 25, 2025 with the winner being announced on the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show taking place on Dec. 11, 2025. Players chosen to advance to the next round are picked by a committee from Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Phi Steele Publications, who have a partnership with the Maxwell Football Club.

2025 Maxwell Award Watch List