GAINESVILLE — Nikki Lagway’s phone is blowing up as the big weekend approaches.
Her oldest son, DJ, is heading back to Texas, and everyone in Willis, the Florida quarterback’s hometown, is eager to see him in action again.
The ticket requests have been relentless for the Gators’ visit to No. 5 Texas A&M Saturday night — putting mom and dad in a tough spot.
“Oh my goodness,” Nikki told the Orlando Sentinel Wednesday. “We get ticket requests every day, all day.”
Nikki, whose family receives just four tickets for road games, has been unable to accommodate them. She was especially disheartened to turn down three boys from a local pee-wee team called the Gators.
“It’s been difficult,” she said. “We have a lot of coaches too, that want to come watch him play since it’s right here. But it’s just hard.”
Derek Lagway Sr. has had to say no even more.
Meanwhile back in Gainesville, DJ Lagway lets his parents handle the details of his homecoming while he strives to make it one to remember.
“I’m just ready to have fun, to go out there and compete in front of people I’ve been competing in front of my whole life,” he told the Orlando Sentinel following a recent practice. “I’m excited; it’s gonna be a lot of people. The whole town of Willis is probably gonna be there.”
The 75-minute drive northwest along Highway 6 will be busier than usual as fans flock to Kyle Field to see Lagway. Many will wear Aggies maroon and white, but others will don his No. 2 Gators jersey.
“I expect to see quite a few,” Nikki said. “I really do.”
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway throws a pass during the Gators’ 29-21 win against No. 9 Texas Saturday in the Swamp. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Split loyalties developed after the native son decided to leave the small Texas town (pop. 7,222) north of Houston after he put it in the spotlight as the Gatorade Football Player of the Year and Mr. Texas football in 2023. As a senior, he accounted for 73 touchdowns and led an undefeated team to the third round of the 6A state playoffs, where top-ranked defending champion DeSoto defeated Willis.
Nikki said fellow Willis Board of Trustees member Kyle Hoegemeyer, its president, is a diehard A&M fan, like many Willis residents.
“He tells us, I hope DJ has the best game that he ever has had, but they lose by one point,” she recalled, with a laugh.
Lagway looks to dash Hoegemeyer’s hopes and build on a 298-yard, 2-touchdown day against Texas.
If Lagway can, he’ll deliver a double-whammy to the Aggies.
“A&M has a special place in my heart because it was my first SEC offer,” he said. “It’s definitely gonna be fun to go out there competing in that stadium.”
The allure of Kyle Field and the chance to play close to home weren’t enough to keep Lagway in Texas, where football borders on religion.
“The days of regional recruiting are getting minimized just due to the ease of travel, the familiarity with travel, and then certainly all the compensation that comes with the game now,” UF coach Billy Napier said Wednesday. “College football has become a very national recruiting stage; kids are going all the way across the country.”
Napier’s faith, personality, approach and football acumen sold Lagway, who committed in December 2022 — 12 months before a decision was due.
“We just both love ball,” Lagway said of Napier nearly three years later. “He’s just a great leader on and off the field, about life and how to handle different situations. The way he carries himself on a day in, day out basis — he doesn’t get too high, he doesn’t get too low. He’s very steady Eddy.
“As a man, that’s how you want to become.”
If Napier, who is 21-22 at UF, is to earn a fifth season, Lagway will be a big reason.
The Texas performance was a big step after his September struggles and string of injuries all year, including one to his leg he reaggravated last Saturday not expected to limit him at practice.
Lagway said he was certain he’d bounce back.
“As a player and as an athlete, as a human being, you want to do well, and you want to figure out the reasons why,” he said. “So anytime you kind of figure it out, it’s always feels good. But my confidence never wavered, and it never will, because I don’t base my confidence off other people’s opinions.
“I know who I am, and I know what God created me to be.”
As the top-rated quarterback in the 2024 class, the 6-foot-3, 238-pound Lagway was cut from a different mold and coveted by schools coast to coast. Clemson and USC also were in the mix, but his decision came down to Florida and Texas A&M following an 11th hour push by new Aggies coach Mike Elko, who replaced Jimbo Fisher after the 2023 season.
“They came up on a house visit,” Lagway recalled. “I had a good conversation with those guys.”
But Lagway’s commitment to the Gators was firm, dashing the hopes of the Aggies and many in his hometown.
“They tried to make a push at the end, but I was locked in here,” he said. “I’m the type of guy, If I say I’m gonna do it, I’m committed.”
Lagway’s loyalty and character make it hard to root against him. Some who cheered him at Willis will, and others will not during Saturday night’s eagerly awaited game.
In a sea of maroon and white, patches of orange and blue, some wearing No. 2, will stand out among a crowd expected to be around 110,000. On hand will be Derek Sr., Nikki, their son Jamal and her mother Beverley Mills. DJ hopes Shannon Mills, his step-grandfather and pastor, is able to make it despite some ambulatory issues.
Whoever shows up, the 20-year-old standout’s focus will be on the unbeaten Aggies. Even so, Lagway will revel in the support of those who came to see and cheer him.
“It’s gonna be great,” he said. “I’m excited.”
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
Up next …
UF (2-3, 1-1) at No. 5 Texas A&M (5-0, 2-0)
When: 7 p.m., Saturday
Where: Kyle Field, College Station
TV: ESPN
Favorite: Texas A&M by 7.5 points
