What is the status for DJ Lagway in the final 3 games of the season?

(Photo by Chris Spears)

Will DJ Lagway be Florida’s starting quarterback Saturday night in Oxford when the Gators (3-6, 2-4 SEC) face 6^th-ranked Ole Miss (9-1, 5-1 SEC)?  

Lagway was benched after throwing three first half interceptions in Florida’s embarrassing 38-7 loss to Kentucky. Lagway completed 11-19 passes for 83 yards in two quarters of action. He threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jaden Baugh in the first quarter but consistently overthrew receivers or threw into coverage after that.

The Gators trailed 24-7 at the half and Kentucky got the ball to start the third quarter. Kentucky took the third quarter kickoff and marched down the field for a TD for a 31-7 lead. Had the Gators stopped Kentucky would Lagway have gone back on the field? Or was this a decision made at the half for Lagway to sit out the rest of the game no matter what?  

Whether it was simply a merciful move or one made out of disgust, Gonzales can expect to be peppered with questions about Lagway’s status for the final three games of the season at Florida’s weekly Monday press conference.

It has been a most disappointing season for Lagway, who was thought to be a Heisman Trophy candidate when the season began. But, after missing all of the spring and all but a few days of August preseason practice, Lagway has shown nothing in the way of progress off a 2024 in which he led the Gators to four straight wins at the end of the season.

Contrast Lagway’s 2024 stats to his current stats through nine games:

2024: 115-192 passing (59.9 percent) for 1,915 yards (10 yards per attempt), 12 touchdown passes (9 interceptions).

2025: 171-265 passing (64.5 percent) for 1,762 yards (6.6 yards per attempt), 11 touchdowns (12 interceptions)

Something else to consider, Lagway may decide to opt out the rest of the season. It wouldn’t be the first time a high profile college football player benched himself the rest of the year prior to entering the transfer portal. Despite having an off year, Lagway is such a talent that there will be no shortage of suitors should he decide leaving is in his best interests.

If Lagway is done for the year, freshman Trammell Jones Jr. will get the start against Ole Miss. In the second half against Kentucky, Jones was 9-17 for 60 yards. He was 12-18 for 131 yards and two touchdowns in the season opener against D1AA Long Island University.

Associated Press top 25: 1. Ohio State 9-0; 2. Indiana 10-0; 3. Texas A&M 9-0; 4. Alabama 8-1; 5. Georgia 8-1; 6. Ole Miss 9-1; 7. Oregon 8-1; 8. Texas Tech 9-1; 9. Notre Dame 7-2; 10. Texas 7-2; 11. Oklahoma 7-2; 12. BYU 8-1; 13. Vanderbilt 8-2; 14. Georgia Tech 8-1; 15. Utah 7-2; 16. Miami 7-2; 17. Southern California 7-2; 18. Michigan 7-2; 19. Louisville 7-2; 20. Virginia 8-2; 21. Tennessee 6-3; 22. Cincinnati 7-2;                        23. Pittsburgh 7-2; 24. James Madison 8-1;  25. South Florida 7-2

AFCA Coaches top 25: 1. Ohio State 9-0; 2. Indiana 10-0; 3. Texas A&M 9-0; 4. Alabama 8-1; 5. Georgia 8-1; 6. Oregon 8-1; 7. Ole Miss 9-1; 8. Texas Tech 9-1; 9. Notre Dame 7-2; 10. (Tie) Oklahoma 7-2; Texas 7-2; 12. (Tie) Georgia Tech 8-1; BYU 8-1; 14. Vanderbilt 8-2; 15. Utah 7-2; 16. Miami 7-2; 17. Michigan 7-2; 18. Southern California 7-2; 19. Virginia 8-2; 20. Tennessee 6-3; 21. Louisville 7-2; 22. Cincinnati 7-2; 23. Pittsburgh 7-2; 24. Missouri 6-3; 25. James Madison 8-1

SEC FOOTBALL

No. 4 Alabama (8-1, 6-0 SEC): It has been four games since Alabama had a 400-yard game. The Crimson Tide managed only 344 in beating LSU Saturday night. The ground game has been particularly mediocre. Alabama has gained 128 yards in the last two games (South Carolina and LSU) combined. Saturday, Alabama will be going against an Oklahoma defense that ranks fourth in the nation in both sacks with 33 and run defense with 82.44 yards allowed per game. Saturday: No. 11 Oklahoma (7-2, 3-2 SEC)

Arkansas (2-7, 0-5 SEC): Taylen Green leads the SEC and the nation in total offense, averaging 335.7 yards per game. Green has passed for 2,372 yards and 19 touchdowns while running for 649 and six TDs. Running back Mike Washington Jr. is second in the SEC in rushing with 828 yards and six touchdowns. Saturday: at LSU (5-4, 2-4 SEC)

Auburn (4-6, 1-6 SEC): Auburn’s defense had been among the best in the country and the offense among the worst prior to the loss to Vanderbilt. At Vanderbilt with defensive coordinator DJ Durkin as the interim head coach, the roles reversed. Auburn, which hadn’t allowed more than 24 points in a game all season, gave up 45 and 544 yards. The dormant offense woke up with Ashton Daniels at quarterback, put up 38 points and a season high 563 yards. Daniels threw for 353 yards and two touchdowns.

No. 5 Georgia (8-1, 6-1 SEC): The big question for Georgia is can the Bulldogs run the ball against a Texas defense that ranks No. 2 nationally, allowing only 78.22 yards per game on the ground. The Bulldogs expect to have success throwing the ball against Texas, which has allowed 11 touchdown passes this season, eight in the last two games. Saturday: No. 10 Texas (7-2, 4-1 SEC)

Kentucky (4-5, 2-5 SEC): The Wildcats should get a relatively easy win against D1AA Tennessee Tech Saturday. At five wins Kentucky will be within a game of bowl eligibility, needing one win in their last two games, which will not only get them to a bowl game, but should almost certainly save Mark Stoops’ job. Saturday: Tennessee Tech (10-0)

LSU (5-4, 2-4 SEC): Garrett Nussmeier, who began the season as a top five Heisman Trophy candidate, is averaging 6.7 yards per pass attempt, which is a full yard less than he averaged in 2024. Against Alabama, Nussmeier completed 18-21 passes for 121 yards, an average of 5.8 yards per attempt. Saturday: Arkansas (2-7, 0-5 SEC)

Mississippi State (5-5, 1-5 SEC): Starting QB Blake Shapen left the Georgia game in the third quarter after being flattened while attempting a pass. After being taken to the locker room, Shapen was seen on the sideline, helmet in hand, watching as freshman Kamario Taylor finished the game. No news on whether Shapen will be starting against Missouri Saturday or if HBC Jeff Lebby will go with his freshman. Saturday: at Missouri (6-3, 2-3 SEC)

Missouri (6-3, 2-3 SEC): The loss to the Aggies eliminated Missouri from College Football Playoff contention and out of the AP top 25 rankings ... A third straight 10-win season is possible but will require the Tigers win their final three regular season games and a bowl game ... Ahmad Hardy gained 109 yards and scored a TD against the Aggies. He continues to lead the SEC with 1,046 yards. He has scored 12 rushing touchdowns.  Saturday: Mississippi State (5-5, 1-5 SEC)

No. 11 Oklahoma (7-2, 3-2 SEC): Saturday at Alabama is an elimination game for the Sooners, who already have two losses. To beat Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium the Sooners will have to get after Ty Simpson, who has thrown 21 touchdown passes and only one interception despite having a very limited running game. Oklahoma has the No. 1 defense in college football, giving up only 264.2 yards and 14.1 points per game. Saturday: at No. 4 Alabama (8-1, 6-0 SEC)

No. 6 Ole Miss (9-1, 5-1 SEC): Lane Kiffin is one win away from a fourth season with 10 or more wins, which would tie Ole Miss legend Johnny Vaught … Tied for the Ole Miss and SEC lead in scoring are placekicker Lucas Carneiro and running back Kewan Lacy, both with 96 points … The Rebels open as 15.5-point favorites over Florida. Saturday: FLORIDA (3-6, 2-4 SEC)

South Carolina (3-6, 1-6 SEC): For the Gamecocks to avoid a losing season, they will have to knock off the Aggies at Kyle Field, a very tall order. With Mike Shula fired as the offensive coordinator, wide receivers coach Mike Furrey will be calling the plays. It remains to be seen if that will make any difference in the worst offense in the Southeastern Conference. Saturday: at No. 3 Texas A&M (9-0, 6-0 SEC)

No. 21 Tennessee (6-3, 3-3 SEC): Saturday will be a dial-a-score game for the Vols, who average 504.1 yards and 43.6 points per game. Tennessee has the No. 1 offense in the country and the No. 3 scoring offense … QB Joey Aguilar throws for 304 yards per game with 21 touchdown passes. Saturday: New Mexico State (3-6)

No. 10 Texas (7-2, 4-1 SEC): With three games to go, the Longhorns have their backs against the wall. They face elimination from College Football Playoff contention every single game and two of the three are ranked in the top five (No. 5 Georgia, No. 3 Texas A&M) … Arch Manning has thrown for 2,136 yards and 18 touchdowns. He has also run for six TDs. Those aren’t Heisman Trophy contention numbers, but they’re pretty good considering the start he got. Saturday: at No. 5 Georgia (8-1, 6-1 SEC)

No. 3 Texas A&M (9-0, 6-0 SEC): While the national media is madly in love with Ohio State and Indiana, Texas A&M keeps blowing people out. The Aggies have scored 40 or more points in six games, plus they have impressive road wins at Notre Dame and LSU … The Aggies are tied for second nationally in sacks with 34, led by Cashius Howell with 10.5. Saturday: South Carolina (3-6, 1-6 SEC)

No. 13 Vanderbilt (8-2, 4-1 SEC): Diego Pavia has vaulted into serious Heisman Trophy discussion. He has thrown for 2,440 yards and 21 touchdowns and run for 613 yards and seven more TDs … Tight end Eli Stowers has cemented himself as the frontrunner to win the Mackey Award with 51 catches for 669 yards and four touchdowns.