UF QB DJ Lagway uses NIL riches, family’s influence to launch foundation
GAINESVILLE — Florida quarterback DJ Lagway, a multi-millionaire at just 19, is a sign of the times in college football.
He’s also on a mission bigger than just himself.
Lagway publicly launched his new foundation Monday night at Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille to use his NIL riches and family’s charitable influence to help others not as athletically or financially blessed.
“NIL is definitely a blessing for me and my family and for other families and kids around the country, it’s just about how you utilize it,” he said. “You got to be able to utilize it well and just be able to help not just you and your family but others. That’s the biggest thing I want to accomplish.”
Giving back comes naturally to Lagway.
Back home in Willis, Texas, Lagway Elementary is a local K-5 school named for his paternal grandmother Edie Ruth, a community pillar until her 2012 death.
“It all started years ago with my late mother-in-law,” Niki Lagway, DJ’s mother, said while addressing the crowd. “She started the giving in our family. Things I’m still finding out. She took people to doctors’ appointments, paid people’s bill. Christmas time came, she did it all.
“That really has stuck out with our family.”
Said DJ, “I kind of want to do the same thing. Just be able to leave my mark outside of football.”
Given their mother’s example, Derek Lagway Sr., a running back at Baylor in the late ’90s, and his older brother John formed the Country Boys to perform good works around the tight-knit community of around 7,000 residents a little less than a hour due north of Houston.
The Lagway men held turkey drives around the holidays, provided underprivileged kids backpacks for schools and mowed the lawns of elderly or infirmed locals.
DJ Lagway eventually got involved himself as he developed into a record-setting high school football star who rose to become the Gatorade National Player of the Year and nation’s No. 1 quarterback recruit.
In the age of NIL, Lagway has cashed in since he signed with Florida to become the program’s quarterback of the future.
He holds an On3 NIL Valuation of $3.8 million, seventh among college athletes and fourth among football players, and has deals with Gatorade, Nintendo, Epic Games and Leaf Trading Cards.
Before spreading the wealth, Lagway wanted to impact the Gators.
The 6-foot-3, 241-pound phenom began 2024 as the backup to veteran Graham Mertz but stepped into the starting role after his season-ending knee injury Oct. 11 at Tennessee. Lagway ended the season 6-1 as a starter, averaging 10 yards an attempt to rank second nationally and as the nation’s only quarterback with five 40-yard completions in a game, doing it against both Samford and Kentucky.
“I had to prove myself on the field first,” Lagway said.
Lagway’s impact as a player and now a philanthropist doesn’t surprise UF head coach Billy Napier.
“Ultimately he’s a reflection of his parents, the values that he was taught growing up,” he said. “He’s got a sincere care for people. And he’s mature enough to know that’s what life’s about.
“He’s using this platform in the way that was intended.”
Lagway entered the offseason intending to build on the 2024 Gators’ season-ending four-game winning streak and help return the program to prominence in Napier’s pivotal fourth season.
But Lagway has been limited by injury during spring practices, with his return to health yet to be determined.
In the meantime, he is making an impact off the field, with the help of his family and representatives.
“It’s pretty cool all the working hands it takes to get this thing together,” Lagway said. “It’s truly a blessing that people have helped me get this thing up.”
Lagway hit the ground running.
On Monday evening, Lagway arrived wearing a sharp light gray suit picked out by his mother and immediately made his presence felt at the event commanding $200 a ticket. He greeted virtually everyone in attendance, including some family members who made a surprise trip from Texas.
Teammates Myles Graham, Tank Hawkins, Rod Kearney and D’Antre Robinson also showed their support.
“I’m just thankful for the guys around me,” Lagway said. “They’re a big reason that all this is happening. It takes 11 people to execute play.”
Lagway’s maturity and leadership skills were on full display as he worked the room, shaking hands and posing for pictures. Later, he was the star of a silent auction.
An autographed portrait of Lagway composed in just seven minutes by speed painter Alejandro Ruiz sold for $8,000.
Leading up to the event, Lagway announced a six-figure donation to Florida Victorious, UF’s NIL collective, to go toward the Gators women’s sports programs.
“I feel like women athletes don’t get the recognition that they deserve always,” he said. “Just being able to use my platform and be able to do something, bring awareness and a cause to people.”
Lagway is just getting started.
He aims to run football camps and impact young people in the the Gainesville and Willis communities before eventually expanding his footprint.
“I want to be able to do things in the community for kids to be able to achieve their goals,” he said. “That’s the biggest thing because a lot of kids don’t have the resources in a lot of communities and a lot of areas. I want to be able to outreach to those communities to give them the same opportunity.”
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
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