Gators’ DJ Lagway prepares for Texas homecoming

GAINESVILLE — Nikki Lagway’s telephone is blowing up as the large weekend approaches.

Her oldest son, DJ, is heading again to Texas, and everybody in Willis, the Florida quarterback’s hometown, is raring to see him in motion once more.

The ticket requests have been relentless for the Gators’ go to to No. 5 Texas A&M Saturday night time — placing mother and pa in a troublesome spot.

“Oh my goodness,” Nikki instructed the Orlando Sentinel Wednesday. “We get ticket requests each day, all day.”

Nikki, whose household receives simply 4 tickets for highway video games, has been unable to accommodate them. She was particularly disheartened to show down three boys from a neighborhood pee-wee crew referred to as the Gators.

“It’s been troublesome,” she mentioned. “We’ve quite a lot of coaches too, that need to come watch him play because it’s proper right here. Nevertheless it’s simply onerous.”

Derek Lagway Sr. has needed to say no much more.

In the meantime again in Gainesville, DJ Lagway lets his dad and mom deal with the main points of his homecoming whereas he strives to make it one to recollect.

“I’m simply able to have enjoyable, to go on the market and compete in entrance of individuals I’ve been competing in entrance of my entire life,” he instructed the Orlando Sentinel following a latest follow. “I’m excited; it’s gonna be lots of people. The entire city of Willis might be gonna be there.”

The 75-minute drive northwest alongside Freeway 6 can be busier than normal as followers flock to Kyle Subject to see Lagway. Many will put on Aggies maroon and white, however others will don his No. 2 Gators jersey.

“I count on to see fairly a couple of,” Nikki mentioned. “I actually do.”

Cut up loyalties developed after the native son determined to go away the small Texas city (pop. 7,222) north of Houston after he put it within the highlight because the Gatorade Soccer Participant of the Yr and Mr. Texas soccer in 2023. As a senior, he accounted for 73 touchdowns and led an undefeated crew to the third spherical of the 6A state playoffs, the place top-ranked defending champion DeSoto defeated Willis.

Nikki mentioned fellow Willis Board of Trustees member Kyle Hoegemeyer, its president, is a diehard A&M fan, like many Willis residents.

“He tells us, I hope DJ has the most effective recreation that he ever has had, however they lose by one level,” she recalled, with fun.

Lagway appears to sprint Hoegemeyer’s hopes and construct on a 298-yard, 2-touchdown day in opposition to Texas.

If Lagway can, he’ll ship a double-whammy to the Aggies.

“A&M has a particular place in my coronary heart as a result of it was my first SEC supply,” he mentioned. “It’s positively gonna be enjoyable to go on the market competing in that stadium.”

The attract of Kyle Subject and the prospect to play near dwelling weren’t sufficient to maintain Lagway in Texas, the place soccer borders on faith.

“The times of regional recruiting are getting minimized simply as a result of ease of journey, the familiarity with journey, after which actually all of the compensation that comes with the sport now,” UF coach Billy Napier mentioned Wednesday. “Faculty soccer has change into a really nationwide recruiting stage; youngsters are going all the best way throughout the nation.”

Napier’s religion, character, method and soccer acumen offered Lagway, who dedicated in December 2022 — 12 months earlier than a call was due.

“We simply each love ball,” Lagway mentioned of Napier almost three years later. “He’s only a nice chief on and off the sphere, about life and learn how to deal with completely different conditions. The way in which he carries himself on a day in, time out foundation — he doesn’t get too excessive, he doesn’t get too low. He’s very regular Eddy.

“As a person, that’s the way you need to change into.”

If Napier, who’s 21-22 at UF, is to earn a fifth season, Lagway can be an enormous cause.

The Texas efficiency was an enormous step after his September struggles and string of accidents all yr, together with one to his leg he reaggravated final Saturday not anticipated to restrict him at follow.

Lagway mentioned he was sure he’d bounce again.

“As a participant and as an athlete, as a human being, you need to do effectively, and also you need to determine the the explanation why,” he mentioned. “So anytime you form of determine it out, it’s at all times feels good. However my confidence by no means wavered, and it by no means will, as a result of I don’t base my confidence off different folks’s opinions.

“I do know who I’m, and I do know what God created me to be.”

Because the top-rated quarterback within the 2024 class, the 6-foot-3, 238-pound Lagway was minimize from a unique mould and coveted by faculties coast to coast. Clemson and USC additionally have been within the combine, however his determination got here all the way down to Florida and Texas A&M following an eleventh hour push by new Aggies coach Mike Elko, who changed Jimbo Fisher after the 2023 season.

“They got here up on a home go to,” Lagway recalled. “I had a very good dialog with these guys.”

However Lagway’s dedication to the Gators was agency, dashing the hopes of the Aggies and lots of in his hometown.

“They tried to make a push on the finish, however I used to be locked in right here,” he mentioned. “I’m the kind of man, If I say I’m gonna do it, I’m dedicated.”

Lagway’s loyalty and character make it onerous to root in opposition to him. Some who cheered him at Willis will, and others is not going to throughout Saturday night time’s eagerly awaited recreation.

In a sea of maroon and white, patches of orange and blue, some sporting No. 2, will stand out amongst a crowd anticipated to be round 110,000. Readily available can be Derek Sr., Nikki, their son Jamal and her mom Beverley Mills. DJ hopes Shannon Mills, his step-grandfather and pastor, is ready to make it regardless of some ambulatory points.

Whoever exhibits up, the 20-year-old standout’s focus can be on the unbeaten Aggies. Even so, Lagway will revel within the assist of those that got here to see and cheer him.

“It’s gonna be nice,” he mentioned. “I’m excited.”

Edgar Thompson may be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

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