New Baylor Quarterback DJ Lagway Struggles with Accuracy

“Accuracy.”

My NFL scouting mentor, a man with four Super Bowl rings, once told me it’s the single-most important attribute a quarterback can have.

I’m dwelling on his words as I write this evaluation about quarterback DJ Lagway.

On January 8, 2025⎯

Lagway transferred from the University of Florida to Baylor, but that’s not what this is about. It’s about Lagway’s 2025 tape and how that projects to the NFL.

No doubt⎯

Lagway is “intriquing” at first glance.

He has the size and the arm strength NFL teams look for.

But that’s why it’s important to study all the tape and not just go “window shopping” for quarterbacks based on raw traits.

The more I studied Lagway on his 2025 game film, the more concerned I was.

Why’s that?

Because of how inaccurate he looked. Even his short throws weren’t a slam dunk. Granted, his completion percentage was 63.2%, but those were mostly short passes.

I’m not making this stuff up.

Per Pro Football Focus, 165/213 of Lagway’s completions last season traveled nine or fewer air yards (77.5%).

Main issues

• Erratic internal clock
• Throws with too much arm
• Inconsistent throwing mechanics
• Underdeveloped footwork

Lagway is best when he gets the ball out of his hand on time. Sometimes he does so, and sometimes he doesn’t. He tends to get into trouble the longer he holds onto the ball.

Having a strong arm is a blessing and a curse for Lagway⎯

It allows him to fit the ball into some tight throwing windows, but it also causes him to force some dangerous throws.

He also depends on his arm strength too much.

A quarterback’s accuracy comes from the lower body and a wide throwing base. Lagway is almost all arm. He tries to drive and steer the ball, and the results are all over the place.

On passes 20+ air yards, I charted Lagway at 13/40 (32.5%).

Reckless running

Lagway does not like to slide or run out of bounds. From what I recall, the times he went out of bounds, he was forced out.

I don’t even remember seeing him slide.

Lagway is not a casual runner either.

He had 71 rushing attempts in 12 games last season (and 51 rushing attempts in 2024).

Lagway absorbs A LOT of contact running the ball.

What are some of his other good traits?

• Toughness
• Never quits
• Poise
• Even keeled
• Fearless
• Short-term memory
• Small measure of “playmaking ability “

NFL projection

I see him as a fringe NFL practice squad prospect.

His lack of accuracy, coupled with his high touchdown (TD) to interception (INT) ratio in the past two seasons (2025: 12 TD and 9 INT; 2024: 16 TD and 14 INT), has him looking like an “NFL interception machine” waiting to happen.

*And the transfer from No. 25 Florida to No. 50 Baylor feels “off.”

#2 DJ Lagway 6-foot-3, 247 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2026 Spring Grade: Undraftable free agent (I wouldn’t select him)

🚩 HIGH INJURY RISK

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be a Fourth-Round prospect as of August 3, 2026

2025 game film evaluated: Long Island University, USF, LSU, Miami, Texas, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and FSU (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Note: Three games with 2+ interceptions during the 2025 regular season (ESPN)

PFF: 2025 2.71 second time to throw

2027 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Raw prospect. Sturdy frame. Methodical presence. Shotgun formation. Clapping cadence. Vascillates between relaxing and tensing up as a passer. Good ball handling. Poor feel for front or backside pressure that he can’t see coming. Has enough natural physical strength to shake a pass rusher. Some improv. Pats the ball pre-delivery. Decent screen game. Able to hide his throwing intentions short range. Sometimes sidearms it. Decent behind the line of scrimmage mobility, but not a legit dual threat. Poor decision-making. Doesn’t always see defenders in coverage. Throws with below-average to above-average anticipation. 12 PBUs/12 games (1.00 per-game-average). Not a legit dual threat.

What to watch for during the 2026 college football season

1. Forcing throws into coverage?

2. Getting the ball out of his hand on time?

3. TD-to-INT ratio?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as appearing as a guest on ESPN Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and Fearless with Jason Whitlock. Featured in USA Today. For more information, visit whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.