DJ Lagway Named to Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List as Florida QB Builds Hype
The Florida Gators have added quarterback DJ Lagway to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list, officially placing him among the early contenders for one of college football’s premier honors. Lagway is one of 31 quarterbacks on the preseason list, and he sits among 101 players overall vying for the award, which honors the best offensive player in Division I football with strong ties to Texas.
The award, established in 2012, recognizes offensive excellence connected to the state of Texas and is named after Earl Campbell, the Hall of Famer who starred for the Texas Longhorns and won the Heisman Trophy in 1977. Lagway, a Willis High School product just north of Houston, fits the criteria and has quickly become one of the sport’s most-talked-about quarterbacks entering his second season in Gainesville.
Lagway’s debut season with the Gators was notably impactful. He appeared in all 12 games, started seven, and helped Florida go 6-1 in games he started, finishing the year 8-5 overall. He threw for 1,915 yards and 12 touchdowns while completing about 60 percent of his passes, and he added 101 rushing yards. Lagway also tied Chris Leak’s program record for most wins by a true freshman quarterback and posted a 154.9 passer rating, the highest mark among all FBS true freshmen.
As the season approaches, the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award process will gradually narrow the field. Semifinalists will be announced in November, followed by finalists in December, with a panel of broadcasters, journalists, former players and fans ultimately selecting the winner.
Lagway’s inclusion on the watch list reflects the early national attention surrounding his development and could boost the Gators’ profile as they prepare for the new season. If he continues to grow, Lagway has the potential to be a central figure in Florida’s offense and a rising name in college football.
Overall, Lagway’s presence on this watch list underscores his rising stock and the promising trajectory for both him and the Florida program.