Baylor Football’s DJ Lagway Tabbed to Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List
BALTIMORE – Baylor football junior quarterback DJ Lagway has been named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List, as announced Wednesday by the Golden Arm Foundation.
Lagway is one of 27 candidates named to the award’s preseason watch list, which is presented annually to the most outstanding quarterback in college football who demonstrates excellence both on and off the field. Lagway is one of six players from the Big 12 named to the list.
After spending his first two collegiate seasons at Florida, Lagway comes to Waco having thrown for 4,179 yards and 28 touchdowns in his career so far. He added 237 yards and one touchdown on the ground during his time with the Gators. In 2024, Lagway was named a consensus Freshman All-American after posting 1,915 yards through the air with 12 TDs and helping UF to a 6-1 record in his seven starts, tying a school record for the most wins as a true freshman.
Last year, Lagway earned a spot on the Davey O’Brien Award, Walter Camp, Wuerffel Trophy and Maxwell Award preseason watch lists, then went on to throw for 2,264 yards with 16 touchdowns. He passed for multiple scores in four games, with three such efforts coming in victories. He also rushed 51 times for 244 yards after starting all 12 games.
The Golden Arm Award has been presented to the best quarterback in the nation for their on-field talent, character and leadership since 1987. The award is named after Johnny Unitas, who is best known for inventing football’s two-minute drill. The winner of the Golden Arm Award will be unveiled on Dec. 9.
BAYLOR FOOTBALL 2026 PRESEASON HONORS
Michael Allen, S
- AFCA Good Works Team Nominee
- Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
Travion Barnes, LB
- Preseason All-Texas Second Team (Dave Campbell’s Texas Football)
- Preseason All-Big Third Team (Phil Steele)
- Shriners 1000 Watch List
Ryan Davis, JACK
- Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team (PFN)
Gavin Freeman, WR
- Preseason All-Big 12 Third Team (PFN)
DJ Lagway, QB
- Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List
- Maxwell Award Watch List
- Shriners 1000 Watch List
Tony Livingston, TE
- Shriners 1000 Watch List
Dawson Pendergrass, RB
- Shriners 1000 Watch List
Jacob Redding, S
- Shriners 1000 Watch List
- Preseason All-Big 12 First Team FLEX (Sports Info Solutions)
Dylan Schaub, LS
- Preseason All-Big Third Team (Phil Steele)
Kaden Sieracki, OT
- Preseason All-Big Fourth Team (Phil Steele)
- Shriners 1000 Watch List
Devonte Tezino, DL
- Shriners 1000 Watch List
LeVar Thornton Jr., CB
- Shriners 1000 Watch List
Devin Turner, S
- Shriners 1000 Watch List
Hosea Wheeler, DL
- Preseason All-Big Third Team (Phil Steele)
- Shriners 1000 Watch List
Palmer Williams, P
- Preseason All-America First Team (Walter Camp Foundation)
- Preseason All-America Second Team (CBS Sports)
- Preseason All-America Third Team (Phil Steele)
- Preseason All-Big 12 First Team (Media, Phil Steele)
- Preseason All-Texas First Team (Dave Campbell’s Texas Football)
- Ray Guy Award Watch List
- Shriners 1000 Watch List
