DJ Lagway trails only Arch Manning, ranks above Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders in NFL Draft quarterback rankings

DJ Lagway ranks just behind Arch Manning in NFL Draft QB rankings

What's really interesting for the Gators is how good Lagway is. He's the best quarterback they've had since Tim Tebow.

Pro Football Focus' Max Chadwick ranked all the quarterbacks who could be drafted if they were eligible right now and Lagway ranked second, which both makes sense and doesn't.

Like Manning, Lagway might not have the proven track record like others on this list. But also like Manning, he has limitless potential. "

The true freshman showed why he was the top quarterback recruit in the 2024 cycle, leading the Power Four with an 8.8% big-time throw rate. Lagway’s 95.6 passing grade on deep throws stood third in the country as well. He’ll need to become more precise as a sophomore though as his 59.7 passing grade on all other throws was the second-worst mark in the Power Four.

It was still a very encouraging freshman year for Lagway, though. He may have more arm talent than anyone else in college football and just needs to fine-tune his footwork and accuracy.

It's really interesting that Lagway ranked one spot behind Manning. Should he be one spot behind Manning? Based on how Chadwick framed it, it seems to be more about the name than the player.

This is admittedly a massive projection, as Manning has only made two starts in his collegiate career. However, teams would be hard-pressed to pass on the next in line of the greatest quarterback family in football history.

Manning was also phenomenal when he was on the field last year, earning an 88.1 PFF grade that was 13th among FBS signal-callers with at least 200 snaps. He’s more athletic than his uncles and possesses the arm talent and mental processing that made Peyton and Eli so special.

Lagway didn't just play well in 2024, he was excellent. Lagway went undefeated in games he started and finished, with his only blemish coming against Georgia, where a severe hamstring injury late in the second quarter knocked him out of the game while the Gators were up 13-6. He was explosive and significantly improved his pocket presence while he was nursing his hamstring injury.

Manning hasn't proved much of anything other than play great against an undermatched UTSA team. Putting him over Lagway is based solely on lineage rather than what we've seen on the field, where Lagway easily clears.

The other noteworthy element is Lagway ranks right above both Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders in this year's draft class. Chadwick having him above both players means he would realistically be taken in the top five of this year's draft class.

I know if I needed a quarterback, Lagway would be my guy.