DJ Lagway Joins Cormani McClain to Battle Major Crisis Impacting 2.2 Million Florida Natives

The Florida Gators’ 2025 season started with trials and tribulations. Their 1–3 start marks their worst opening stretch since 1986, and the offense has been nothing short of a train wreck under Billy Napier. Gators quarterback DJ Lagway has yet to live up to his preseason hype, but we can’t place the entire blame on him, especially considering the rumors of a shoulder injury. While Lagway might not be performing at his best on the field, he and DB Cormani McClain are taking on something bigger than football itself off the field, affecting 2.2 million Floridians, including 660,000 kids.

On September 24, Lagway hopped on X and took a stand in Florida’s battle against hunger: “Thankful I got to be part of the fight against hunger — every little bit counts! Want to help? Donate here,” he wrote, tagging local nonprofits alongside a photo with teammates during the ‘Food 4 Kids’ campaign. McClain quickly joined the push, writing, “No child should have to worry about their next meal. Grateful for the opportunity to combat hunger.” DJ Lagway and McClain are fighting child hunger in Florida, where 15.7% of children face food insecurity.

The numbers show just how serious the problem of hunger is in Florida. Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study found that 2.2 million Floridians do not have access to enough healthy food. In its 2018 report, it revealed that 73% of households relying on food assistance had to make the tough choice between buying food and paying for their utilities, while 69% had to decide between buying food or paying for transportation.

By using their platforms to support organizations like Feeding Florida, which is the state’s only network of food banks serving all 67 counties, DJ Lagway and Cormani McClain are doing more than just posting online. They are actively joining the fight against hunger, which is deeply connected to poverty and inequality, issues that cannot be solved with quick or simple solutions.

Lagway has been walking this talk for months now. Earlier this year, he launched the DJ Lagway Foundation, inspired by his grandmother’s community service. Its inaugural fundraiser raised $50,000 for UF Health programs targeting underserved youth through wellness drives and health screenings. He’s also made headlines for donating six figures of his NIL earnings to Florida women’s athletics on International Women’s Day, backing sports from gymnastics to softball.

Even Cormani McClain is doing service to his community. The Florida DB visited elementary schools in Gainesville, reading books and fielding questions from kids who see him as larger than life. He’s worked with The Education Foundation to support local classrooms and partnered with Habitat for Humanity in Alachua County to help families build homes.

Their efforts come at a time when the Gators are fighting to regain momentum on the field. DJ Lagway has faced a rough start to 2025, completing 67% of his throws for 690 yards with a five-to-six touchdown-to-interception ratio. Early missed time in the offseason has contributed to rust, with his deep-ball completion rate dropping from 18% in 2024 to just 5% this year. Despite this, Lagway has been steadily gaining reps during his sixth full week of padded practices, giving fans hope that he’ll find his rhythm as Florida prepares to face Texas in the Swamp for the first time in 85 years.

Billy Napier puts an end to DJ Lagway’s injury rumors

Amid off-field heroics, Lagway’s health had become a topic of concern. Reports surfaced that he was spotted in a walking boot after being stepped on during the Miami game, fueling speculation about a potential opt-out or prolonged injury. Florida head coach Billy Napier addressed the situation directly during his SEC teleconference, reassuring fans: “Yeah, no, DJ’s fine. He got stepped on there during the game, we put a boot on him, there’s no issue at all. He practiced yesterday, he’s 100 percent.”

The precautionary boot was just a safety measure. Makes sense if DJ Lagway goes down, Billy Napier is not in a position to rely on his backup QB. Lagway is fully back in practice during the bye week, preparing for the upcoming matchup against the No. 10-ranked Texas.

Napier stressed that outside noise wouldn’t affect the team or Lagway personally. “It’s comical. The kid has been back in here since Sunday, working his butt off. Monday, yesterday, had a really good day. So yeah, we can’t control that outside narrative, obviously. But no, he’s just fine. He’s been in the building, just like he’s on the staff, so he’s been back to work. And certainly, yeah, that’s a total myth that’s out there.” A practice video released by the Gators confirmed the quarterback’s status, showing him moving freely and balling fully in drills.