DJ Lagway is back in Texas, and Baylor believes it has the kind of setup that can finally unlock the five-star quarterback.
After committing to Florida in December of 2022 following visits to Baylor and USC, Lagway spent two seasons with the Gators before making the move to Baylor, where he is now playing for his father’s alma mater. The Willis, Texas, native entered college as the No. 3 player in the 2024 recruiting class, per 247Sports, and was expected to be Florida’s next star. Instead, injuries and uneven coaching helped shape a rougher path, including a year in which he threw the most interceptions in the SEC as the starter.
Now the conversation has shifted to fit, and that’s where Baylor and offensive coordinator Jake Spavital come in. Spavital’s system has already shown it can put quarterbacks in position to produce, with Sawyer Robertson posting the second-most passing yards per game of any quarterback in the NCAA last season. Looking ahead to 2026, CBS Sports national writer Shehan Jeyarajah sees Lagway and Spavital as a natural pairing.
"Spavital and Lagway will be a match made in heaven," Jeyarajah told Baylor Bears on SI. "When Lagway won Mr.
Texas Football in 2024, he ran a pass-happy spread system at Willis High School. Sources in the program have told me that he’s been able to slide right back in.
"Certainly, injuries remain a concern, but much of the offseason have been spent managing his body the best way possible. Receiver play will also be a big question after great turnover. But after a messy context at Florida, Baylor should feel like home for the five-star passer."
Lagway’s first season hinted at the ceiling. Last year, he threw for 2,264 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, and he’s now working to add more with his legs while still leaning on the arm that made him such a coveted recruit.
The bigger picture in Waco is less forgiving. Dave Aranda is heading into what could be a make-or-break 2026 season, and the pressure is obvious after Baylor has dropped three of the last four seasons into the loss column.
The schedule doesn’t offer much relief, either. The Bears open in Atlanta against Auburn and later close with BYU, Texas Tech, and Houston.
That’s why Jeyarajah doesn’t see Baylor as a clear Big 12 title threat.
"Frankly, I don’t see a pathway to Baylor contending for the Big 12," said Jeyarajah. 'This offensive line is too big of a question mark, and there’s little reason to feel confident in the Bears stopping the run with their struggles in recent years.
"With a few breaks in the front seven, though, Baylor can be much more competitive in the conference. Home games against Colorado and Iowa State are must-wins, with the road schedule featuring some real speedbumps. Seven wins would be a decent season, but they have to play well (even in losses) in the close stretch of BYU, Texas Tech, Houston."
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