Behind DJ Lagway, the Florida Gators have the 4th best QB room in college football, according to PFF, trailing only Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State.
When it comes to college football, few positions are as critical to the success of a program as quarterback. The quarterback is often seen as the face of the team, with their play having a direct impact on not just the offense, but the entire team’s ability to compete at the highest level. In recent years, the importance of recruiting and developing top-tier quarterbacks has grown exponentially, with programs vying for the best signal-callers in the country. For the Florida Gators, their quarterback room has been a major topic of conversation heading into the 2025 season, especially with the highly anticipated arrival of DJ Lagway, one of the top quarterbacks in the 2024 recruiting class.
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), the Florida Gators currently boast the fourth-best quarterback room in all of college football, trailing only powerhouses like Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State. This is a significant achievement for the Gators, a program that has faced its fair share of quarterback struggles in recent years. With the addition of Lagway, however, Florida’s quarterback situation is set to rise to new heights. Let’s explore the factors behind this ranking, the top quarterback rooms in college football, and what makes Florida’s QB room one of the most exciting in the country.
The Significance of a Strong QB Room
Before delving into the specifics of Florida’s QB room, it’s important to understand why this ranking matters. In college football, having a solid quarterback room is essential for sustained success. A team’s quarterback room isn’t just about having a starting quarterback; it’s about building depth and ensuring that the team has a reliable backup if the starter goes down. The best programs in college football typically have multiple talented quarterbacks who can step in and perform at a high level when needed.
Moreover, a top-tier quarterback room is often a reflection of a program’s ability to recruit and develop talent at the position. Recruits want to play for programs where they see an opportunity to grow and compete for championships. A strong QB room is often a recruiting tool in itself, attracting some of the best young quarterbacks in the country who want to develop under a proven coaching staff and compete against elite competition.
In Florida’s case, their ranking as having the fourth-best quarterback room is a testament to the program’s efforts to recruit and develop talent at the position. With DJ Lagway leading the charge, the Gators are in a prime position to make waves in the SEC and beyond in the coming years.
The Top QB Rooms in College Football According to PFF
PFF’s rankings of college football quarterback rooms take into account several key factors, including talent, depth, and coaching. The top programs in the country often boast multiple quarterbacks who are capable of starting at a high level. Let’s take a look at the top three programs that PFF has ranked above the Florida Gators in terms of quarterback rooms.
1. Georgia Bulldogs
The Georgia Bulldogs are at the top of PFF’s quarterback room rankings, and it’s easy to see why. Georgia has established itself as the dominant force in college football, winning back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022. While much of the focus has been on their defense and overall team strength, Georgia’s quarterback play has been exceptional as well.
The Bulldogs have a strong, deep quarterback room that includes Carson Beck, the current starter, and Brock Vandagriff, a highly regarded former five-star recruit. Both quarterbacks have shown flashes of brilliance, and the competition between the two has only elevated their play. Carson Beck, in particular, is poised to lead Georgia’s offense in 2025, and his consistency and leadership make the Bulldogs’ QB room one of the best in the nation.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama has long been a staple in college football, known for its powerhouse recruiting, elite coaching, and consistent championship contention. The Crimson Tide’s quarterback room is no exception to this tradition of excellence. With Jalen Milroe returning for his senior year, Alabama has one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the SEC, and his dual-threat ability makes him a major asset to the offense.
Additionally, Alabama has an intriguing young quarterback in Ty Simpson, who is highly regarded as one of the best signal-callers in the 2023 recruiting class. Simpson’s potential and ability to challenge Milroe for the starting role make Alabama’s quarterback room deep and dangerous.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State’s quarterback room rounds out the top three in PFF’s rankings, and it’s easy to see why the Buckeyes are consistently among the best. With returning starter Kyle McCord, Ohio State has a seasoned quarterback who is capable of leading a high-powered offense. McCord has shown great poise and accuracy and is expected to be one of the top quarterbacks in the nation in 2025.
Behind McCord, Ohio State has a wealth of talent in the form of Devin Brown, a former five-star recruit who has the potential to take over the starting role in the near future. Ohio State’s quarterback depth, coupled with their strong recruiting pipeline, makes their QB room one of the most dangerous in college football.
The Florida Gators’ QB Room: A Rising Power
So, what makes the Florida Gators’ quarterback room so special? Let’s break down the key factors that contribute to their ranking as the fourth-best in the country.
1. DJ Lagway: The Future Star
At the forefront of the Gators’ quarterback room is DJ Lagway, a five-star recruit who is one of the most highly anticipated quarterbacks in the 2024 recruiting class. Lagway’s recruitment was one of the most closely watched in recent years, and the fact that he chose Florida over several other top programs speaks volumes about the Gators’ coaching staff and their ability to develop elite talent.
Lagway is a prototypical dual-threat quarterback with the size, arm strength, and athleticism to thrive in both the passing and running game. His ability to make plays with his legs while also keeping defenses honest with his strong arm makes him a perfect fit for Florida’s offense. Lagway’s leadership and maturity on the field have already earned him respect from coaches and teammates, and he is expected to be the starting quarterback for Florida in the 2025 season.
Beyond his physical skills, Lagway is known for his football IQ and ability to read defenses. He has the potential to become one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC and college football as a whole, and his presence in Florida’s quarterback room immediately elevates the entire group.
2. Graham Mertz: Experience and Leadership
Behind Lagway, the Gators have a solid backup in Graham Mertz, a transfer from Wisconsin who started multiple seasons for the Badgers. Mertz brings a wealth of experience to Florida’s quarterback room, having played in a number of big games in the Big Ten. While he may not possess the same dual-threat ability as Lagway, Mertz is a competent passer with a quick release and a strong understanding of offensive schemes.
Mertz’s presence in the quarterback room provides valuable depth for Florida. His ability to step in and lead the offense, if needed, ensures that the Gators won’t miss a beat should Lagway face any challenges. Mertz also serves as a mentor to Lagway, helping him adjust to the rigors of college football and providing guidance as the young quarterback matures.
3. Max Brown: The Rising Star
Florida also has Max Brown, a young quarterback who could develop into a future star. Brown is a highly regarded prospect in his own right and has shown flashes of potential in limited action. As the Gators look toward the future, Brown provides additional depth to the quarterback room, and his development will be crucial to ensuring that Florida has a reliable backup option in the years to come.
4. Quarterback Coach and Offensive Development
A key factor in the success of Florida’s quarterback room is the coaching staff, specifically quarterback coach Ryan O’Hara. O’Hara, who joined Florida’s staff in 2023, has already made a significant impact on the development of the Gators’ quarterbacks. His track record of developing quarterbacks, including his work with young signal-callers at previous stops, has made him one of the most respected coaches in the country.
O’Hara’s ability to mold quarterbacks into high-level players is critical to the Gators’ success moving forward. He has the tools and expertise to help Lagway, Mertz, and the other quarterbacks reach their full potential. Florida’s commitment to developing quarterbacks under O’Hara’s guidance is one of the key reasons the Gators have one of the best QB rooms in college football.
What Florida’s QB Room Means for the Program’s Future
The Florida Gators’ quarterback room, led by DJ Lagway, has the potential to be one of the most exciting and dynamic units in college football. With the combination of a five-star recruit like Lagway, a seasoned veteran in Mertz, and promising young talent in Brown, Florida is well-positioned to have a competitive advantage at the most important position on the field for years to come.
As the Gators look to compete for SEC titles and playoff berths, having a strong quarterback room will be crucial to their success. Lagway’s arrival gives Florida a potential future star at the position, while Mertz provides experienced depth. The leadership and development of these quarterbacks will determine the Gators’ ability to compete at the highest level in college football.
For now, the Gators’ quarterback room sits as the fourth-best in the nation, according to PFF, and their prospects moving forward look incredibly bright. The combination of talent, experience, and coaching will give Florida a strong foundation at the quarterback position, allowing them to continue to build a championship-caliber program. The future of Gators football is looking increasingly promising, and their quarterback room will play a central role in the team’s success in the coming seasons.
