Texas A&M fans know the name DJ Lagway well. The five-star quarterback from Willis, Texas - practically in the Aggies’ backyard - was a hot topic during the early days of Mike Elko’s tenure in College Station.
With his local roots and strong ties to the area, there was real buzz that A&M might be able to flip him late in the recruiting cycle. But that door never opened.
Lagway stuck with Florida, and for the past two seasons, he’s been showcasing his athleticism and arm talent in Gainesville.
The Aggies, of course, have had a front-row seat to Lagway’s development, having played the Gators both at home and on the road the past two years. And while the flashes have been there - the mobility, the arm strength, the raw upside - the full picture tells a different story.
Simply put, Texas A&M doesn’t need to revisit that chapter. They’ve already got their guy in Marcel Reed.
Let’s break it down.
Both Reed and Lagway came into their own as full-time starters this season after sharing snaps the year before. But the numbers - and the impact - lean heavily in Reed’s favor.
Reed has racked up 3,398 yards of total offense this year, combining his ability through the air and on the ground. Lagway?
He’s sitting at 2,400. That’s nearly a thousand-yard gap - and it gets more telling when you look at efficiency.
Reed is averaging 7.96 yards per play. Lagway’s at 5.88.
In a game where every inch matters, that’s a massive difference.
Turnovers? Reed’s been the steadier hand.
He’s thrown 25 touchdowns to just 10 interceptions. Lagway, meanwhile, has tossed 16 scores but has been picked off 14 times.
That’s not the kind of ratio you want from your quarterback - especially one expected to lead a high-powered SEC offense.
And the advanced metrics back it up. According to collegefootballdata.com, the Aggies are generating 0.418 predicted points added (PPA) per pass with Reed under center.
Florida? Just 0.176 PPA/pass with Lagway.
That’s a stark contrast and a clear indicator of which quarterback is doing more to elevate his offense.
It’s not just about the numbers, though. It’s about trust - and how these two quarterbacks are being used by their teams.
There have been games this season where Texas A&M put the ball in Reed’s hands and said, “Go win it.” And he delivered.
Whether it was threading the needle in crunch time or extending plays with his legs, Reed has shown he can carry the load.
Florida, on the other hand, often leaned on its ground game to get results. Jadan Baugh was the workhorse in that offense, and when the Gators needed Lagway to take over, the results were inconsistent at best. That’s not a knock on Lagway’s talent - he’s got plenty of it - but it does speak to where he is in his development compared to Reed.
The temptation to chase a high-profile name like Lagway is understandable. He’s a former five-star with all the physical tools you dream of in a quarterback.
But quarterback play is about more than just raw talent. It’s about decision-making, consistency, leadership - and right now, Marcel Reed is checking more of those boxes.
Texas A&M doesn’t need to make a move here. They’ve already got a quarterback who’s producing at a high level, who’s earned the trust of his coaches and teammates, and who’s still on the rise. The Aggies are building something - and Reed is right at the heart of it.