Matt Pendleton / USA TODAY NETWORK

DJ Lagway Gets Brutally Honest About His NIL

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kevin Martinez | Last updated Mar 5, 2025 4:26 PM ET

Even before stepping onto the field as the Florida Gators’ starting quarterback, DJ Lagway was positioned for Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) success.

Now, with a standout freshman season under his belt and a $3.8 million On3 NIL Valuation, Lagway has become one of college football’s most marketable athletes.

In an interview with Robert Griffin III on his show "Outta Pocket," Lagway spoke about his thoughts on his new life with NIL money. While Lagway has embraced NIL's financial opportunities, he remains focused on his long-term goals.

“It’s been a blessing from God himself,” he said. just to be able to take care of my family this short time and being able to take care of myself, as well,” Lagway said. “It’s a dream come true, but it’s not the end goal. The end goal is the NFL."

Lagway has had eyes on him since before he arrived in Gainesville, with a high-profile deal featuring him in a Gatorade commercial in May 2023. Since then, his portfolio has expanded significantly, including partnerships with video game companies like Nintendo and Epic Games. He also recently launched the Lagway Foundation in partnership with UF Health.

Lagway’s On3 NIL Valuation ranks him No. 4 in college football and No. 7 in the On3 NIL 100, which tracks the top high school and college athletes based on their NIL value. His marketability has only grown since taking over as Florida’s starting quarterback.

Lagway entered the 2024 season as the backup to Graham Mertz but quickly took over the starting role after Mertz suffered a concussion in the season opener and later a season-ending injury against Tennessee. In his seven starts, Lagway led the Gators to a 6–1 record, helping secure bowl eligibility. The true freshman completed 115 of 192 passes for 1,915 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. Lagway was also able to shine on the ground, adding 101 rushing yards on 51 attempts. His dual-threat ability was instrumental in Florida’s late-season surge.

As Lagway prepares for his sophomore season, his NIL success highlights the evolving landscape of college athletics, where star players like him can capitalize on their talent and marketability while still pursuing their dreams on the field.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: