‘He’s a Freak’ — DJ Lagway Receives Bold Praise From CFB Analyst Amid Julian Sayin Comparisons

In college football, few young quarterbacks are getting as much attention as Florida’s DJ Lagway. Called a “freak of nature” by analysts, Lagway’s early success is already making headlines, especially when compared to Ohio State’s Julian Sayin. This has sparked a heated debate among fans and experts.

Why Are Fans Buzzing About Lagway and Sayin?

The 2024 recruiting class was packed with talent, and DJ Lagway and Julian Sayin were two of the biggest names. Both quarterbacks were top-rated prospects with sky-high expectations, but their first seasons in college couldn’t have been more different.

Lagway started the 2024 season as the backup to Graham Mertz at Florida. But when Mertz got hurt against Tennessee, Lagway got his chance and didn’t look back.

He showed off his huge arm and ability to make plays against some of the SEC’s best teams, like LSU and Ole Miss. By the end of his freshman year, Lagway had thrown for 1,915 yards and 12 touchdowns, showing he could lead a team under pressure.

Florida QB commit DJ Lagway has put up CRAZY numbers through 4 games:

– 80/109 Passing (73.4%)
– 1,257 Yards
– 17 TDs / 3 INTs
– 207 Rushing Yards
– 4 Rushing TDs
– 4-0 Record

Today, Lagway was ranked as the No. 2 QB in the Updated On3 Rankings https://t.co/O2SI1joeBt pic.twitter.com/Kx4uUfjaHQ

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) September 18, 2023

Lagway still has things to improve on — his decision-making led to nine interceptions — but his raw talent and ability to stay calm under pressure have people excited.

As Ari Wasserman said in a recent On3 podcast, “DJ Lagway is number one because I’ve watched him play and I know for a fact that the man is a freak of nature.”

That’s high praise, and it’s clear why Lagway is getting so much attention heading into 2025.

How Does Julian Sayin Fit Into the Debate?

Sayin was another star recruit, originally committed to Alabama before transferring to Ohio State when Nick Saban retired. At Ohio State, Sayin spent most of 2024 behind Will Howard, only appearing in four games and completing five passes for 84 yards and a touchdown.

While he has the physical tools and top-level talent around him — including wide receiver Jeremiah Smith — he hasn’t had a real chance to show what he can do yet.

This contrast between Lagway and Sayin is fueling debate among fans and analysts. Some wonder if Sayin is being overlooked just because he hasn’t played much, or if Lagway really is that much better because he’s already proven himself on the field.

Proven Talent vs. Untapped Potential

It all comes down to a classic question in any sport — do you trust the guy who’s already delivered, or bet on the one who has the potential to break out? For now, Lagway has the edge. He’s faced tough SEC defenses and put up real numbers as a freshman — something that can’t be ignored.

Sayin’s time will come, and Ohio State fans hope he’ll live up to the hype once he gets his shot. But until then, Lagway’s “freak” athleticism and ability to perform under pressure have him in the spotlight.

As the 2025 season gets closer, all eyes will be on these two quarterbacks. Will Lagway keep proving he’s the real deal, or will Sayin finally get his chance to show everyone what he can do?