Gators head coach Billy Napier discusses Florida's class of 2024 decommitments and quarterback DJ Lagway's signing during the Early Signing Period.
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00:00 But some pieces that maybe were expected at one point
00:04 didn't make it into the class.
00:06 It reached as high as number three in the rankings.
00:09 And I don't know where it sits now,
00:11 but it's dropped precipitously.
00:13 I mean, what is the --
00:15 Is that just the way it's going to be
00:17 with -- after a season like you guys had?
00:20 And is it just harder to, you know,
00:22 convince guys to get on board then?
00:25 Yeah, I mean, I think you see it all across the country, right?
00:28 I mean, I think down to the finish line,
00:32 there's an element to recruiting.
00:33 It's a battle, right?
00:34 There's no question about it.
00:36 You know, we're here today to talk about the players
00:38 that we got, and we got some elite players, right?
00:41 We got elite people. We got leaders.
00:44 We have young men that were up for the challenge, right?
00:48 Some weren't up for the challenge, right?
00:50 But this group, okay, that we're here to talk about today
00:53 and celebrate today decided, "Hey, you know what?
00:57 I believe in what's happening there.
00:59 I'm up for the challenge."
01:00 So, you know, I think ultimately for me,
01:05 I respect the group that's committed,
01:08 that signed today, that is excited about the work
01:11 that's in front of us,
01:14 and that's what I'm here to talk about.
01:16 I'm not here to talk about those other situations.
01:19 ...Lagway to that point.
01:20 That was going to be my follow-up.
01:21 His buy-in, I mean, he committed more than a year ago.
01:25 He's been on campus more than I have,
01:28 and he's just been bought in from day one
01:31 and sealed the deal today.
01:32 What does that mean and say about him?
01:35 You know, D.J., the biggest compliment I can give D.J.
01:38 is that as much attention as he has received
01:42 throughout the recruiting process,
01:44 he's a better human being.
01:46 He's a better leader.
01:48 He's -- his character, his faith, his example,
01:52 the way he treats people, his work ethic, his focus,
01:55 his drive to get better.
01:58 Yesterday in particular, the guy got up 4.30 a.m.
02:02 He worked out.
02:03 He drove 45 minutes.
02:05 He did a throw-in session.
02:06 He accepts a National Player of the Year award,
02:09 and then he calls and says, "Hey, let's jump on a Zoom here
02:12 and talk about formations and motions," right?
02:15 So, you know, that's the type of young man
02:18 we're talking about here, right?
02:20 There's substance to him, right?
02:22 And I think he's been raised by an exceptional family.
02:28 Derek and Nikita Lagway are the consummate example
02:32 relative to, you know, parenting
02:35 and what they've instilled in that young man, right?
02:37 I went to Willis last week.
02:40 I had a chance to observe D.J. and his team
02:42 get recognized at the local school board meeting, right,
02:47 and to see him with his teammates in that community
02:51 that he got recruited to leave, you know,
02:53 but he stayed there with his roots
02:56 where his family grew up, right?
02:57 He left that place better than he found it, right?
03:00 And ultimately, we all know D.J.'s talented,
03:03 but, you know, that's not what makes him exceptional,
03:07 in my opinion, right?
03:09 It's these intangible things that make him a difference maker.
03:13 So, D.J. Lagway, he's talented,
03:19 but there's a lot more to that young man than just the talent.
03:23 [BLANK_AUDIO]