Auburn is gearing up to face the best version of DJ Lagway Saturday when the Tigers open the season against Baylor in Atlanta.
Lagway transferred from Florida to Baylor after the 2025 season. Auburn’s head coach Alex Golesh detailed why he feels the transfer will be at his best during his Monday press conference.
“You’ve got a brand new quarterback in a young guy that’s transferring over,” Golesh said. “He’s had two years at the University of Florida, where he obviously played as a young guy, got better and better and better as it went, and now a fully healthy version of D.J. Lagway, I would imagine, is the best version of him. Presents a ton of challenges – one, with what he can do with his arm, but two, certainly what he can do with his legs. In all honesty, if this is the best version of him, he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the entire country. Again, he’ll present a ton of challenges. Here’s a young guy that’s started a ton of games and is just a junior, so it will be really interesting. I’ve got a ton of respect for him, and for that young guy, a year ago, to watch him play through a bunch of injuries was tough. Certainly presents himself as a leader, and you talk about an offense that was top-5 in the country in passing a year ago, you add somebody like him, top-20 in the country overall offensively, he will present a lot of challenges for us.”
Golesh and USF beat Lagway and Florida 18-16 last season. Lagway threw for 222 yards, one touchdown and one interception last season during the matchup.
Auburn’s defensive coordinator DJ Durkin is preparing his unit for a Lagway. Durkin feels Lagway can force you to defend the entire field.
“I remember him when he was a player coming out of high school in Texas, and he's extremely talented,” Durkin said. “He's looks like we're supposed to. He can make all the throws. He can beat you throwing the ball as well with his legs. We're preparing for that. I think obviously it's a, it's a fresh start for him.”
Auburn will look to slow down Baylor in Atlanta on Saturday.
