DJ Lagway’s move from Florida to Baylor has come with a noticeable change in his day-to-day life, and Baylor coach Dave Aranda says the quarterback is settling in fast.
Speaking with On3, Aranda described a smoother transition for Lagway since his departure from Gainesville after two seasons with the Gators. According to Aranda, the quarterback is already building real connections with his new teammates and showing a different kind of energy.
“He’s smiling more, he’s open more, he’s engaging with teammates more," Aranda said. "He’s taken the O-line out to eat, he’s taken the receivers off to (practice) seven-on-seven, or they’re at his house watching films.
"He’s just totally engaged, totally driven. So guys are connected to him and want to play for him, they don’t want to let him down.”
Aranda also said Lagway appeared to be carrying something heavier during his time at Florida, saying the quarterback seemed boxed in early in his college career.
"I could see on the recruiting trip, … I could see someone that just wanted to be free,” Aranda said. “Like (Lagway was in) straight jacket, maybe, someone that is just all boxed in and boxed up and just wanted to be free, express himself, play free.
"And I think he’s felt that (freedom) … at Baylor.”
Lagway himself opened up in the spring during an interview with Matt Hayes of USA Today, saying he felt isolated at Florida and struggled with depression while dealing with the attention that came with his profile.
"Yeah, I was depressed. I just stayed in my own lane. Stayed out of the way.”
Meanwhile, Florida’s quarterback situation is moving in a different direction under new head coach Jon Sumrall, who is set to sort out a battle between Tramell Jones Jr. and Aaron Philo for the starting job in training camp this summer.
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