Florida Gators Land Two First-Round Players in The Athletic’s 2026 NFL Mock Draft
The Florida Gators may be gearing up for the 2025 college football season, but the early buzz surrounding the 2026 NFL Draft has already made its way to Gainesville — and it’s loud. According to The Athletic’s latest 2026 NFL mock draft, two Florida Gators are projected to be selected in the first round, a powerful endorsement of the talent brewing under head coach Billy Napier. The mock draft, compiled by senior NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler, has Gators quarterback DJ Lagway and defensive end Kelby Collins as first-round selections — a testament to both players’ development and the trajectory of the program.
Landing two players in the first round not only elevates Florida’s national profile but signals a return to the elite echelon of college football programs capable of producing high-level NFL talent. After years of inconsistency and coaching turnover, the Gators’ player development pipeline appears to be thriving once again. With both Lagway and Collins being former five-star recruits, their inclusion in the mock draft reinforces the value of star-studded recruiting classes — provided the coaching staff knows how to develop them.
DJ Lagway: Franchise Quarterback in the Making
Perhaps the most attention-grabbing projection was DJ Lagway, Florida’s dynamic quarterback, who The Athletic had going No. 4 overall to the New York Giants. If that prediction holds, Lagway would become the highest-drafted Florida quarterback since Steve Spurrier went third overall in 1967. It’s also a validation of the massive expectations that followed Lagway to Gainesville when he signed as a top-10 national recruit in the 2024 class.
Lagway possesses the rare blend of size (6-foot-3, 235 pounds), athleticism, and arm strength that NFL teams covet. His dual-threat ability has drawn comparisons to players like Cam Newton and Anthony Richardson, and his sophomore campaign in 2025 is expected to be the true breakout year. As a redshirt freshman in 2024, Lagway saw limited action but dazzled with flashes of brilliance, including a highlight-reel 60-yard touchdown run against Georgia and a 300-yard, three-touchdown passing day versus Vanderbilt.
In Brugler’s mock, Lagway’s rise up draft boards is attributed to his “natural leadership, electric playmaking, and steady development as a passer,” with the analyst noting that he has “all the tools to become a franchise cornerstone.”
NFL evaluators are especially intrigued by Lagway’s ability to make off-platform throws and extend plays under pressure. Those traits were on display during Florida’s 2025 spring game, where Lagway connected on multiple deep passes while escaping collapsing pockets — signs of the composure and improvisation that NFL offenses now demand.
If Lagway continues on his upward trajectory in the 2025 season, a top-5 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft seems not only realistic but expected. The Gators’ offensive system under Napier is being adjusted to accentuate Lagway’s mobility and vertical passing game, which should provide ample opportunities for jaw-dropping highlights — and first-round confirmation.
Kelby Collins: The Next Great Gators Pass Rusher
Joining Lagway in The Athletic’s first-round projection is defensive end Kelby Collins, who Brugler slotted at No. 19 overall to the Dallas Cowboys. A monstrous edge defender with elite burst and physicality, Collins has been one of Florida’s most feared defenders since his breakout season in 2024.
Collins, a former top-50 national recruit from Alabama, entered Gainesville with plenty of expectations, and he hasn’t disappointed. In the 2024 season, Collins tallied 10 sacks and 16 tackles for loss, earning All-SEC honors and positioning himself as one of the top defensive ends in the country. At 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds, Collins combines explosive get-off speed with impressive strength, routinely collapsing pockets and overwhelming opposing tackles.
Brugler wrote that Collins “brings a blend of power, technique, and relentless motor that NFL teams crave on the edge,” and predicted that his 2025 season could propel him into the top half of the draft with ease. Scouts are particularly high on his versatility — Collins can line up as a traditional 4-3 defensive end or kick inside on passing downs, making him a valuable chess piece for creative NFL coordinators.
His production speaks volumes, but so does his leadership. Coaches have raved about Collins’ locker room presence and work ethic, noting that he sets the tone for Florida’s defense both on and off the field. Defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong has built his entire pass rush scheme around Collins, and with another strong year, the defensive standout could become Florida’s first defensive lineman drafted in the first round since Dominique Easley in 2014.
The Bigger Picture for Florida’s Program
Having two projected first-rounders in a respected national mock draft does more than boost player résumés — it validates Florida’s recruiting strategy and player development pipeline. Under Billy Napier, Florida has placed a renewed emphasis on building from the trenches out and investing in quarterback development. That approach is starting to yield results, as evidenced by Lagway and Collins.
Since Napier’s arrival in 2022, the Gators have slowly rebuilt a culture of accountability, competition, and player growth. The 2024 and 2025 recruiting classes were loaded with blue-chip talent, and now the fruits of that labor are being realized. Developmental success is no longer a luxury in college football — it’s a necessity. Programs that routinely produce NFL talent draw in top high school prospects, who increasingly view collegiate football as a three-year launchpad toward the pros.
The presence of Lagway and Collins in the 2026 mock draft sends a message to future recruits: If you come to Florida, you’ll be developed at the highest level — and prepared to thrive in the NFL.
Momentum on the Recruiting Trail
In recruiting circles, draft projections matter. Recruits want to see evidence that a coaching staff can mold raw talent into elite prospects. With The Athletic’s mock draft spotlighting two Gators in round one, Florida’s staff is already leveraging that momentum on the recruiting trail.
Wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales has been pitching Lagway’s projected draft status to top wideout targets in the 2025 and 2026 classes, emphasizing the opportunity to catch passes from a likely NFL quarterback. Meanwhile, defensive line coach Sean Spencer has leaned into Collins’ development as a selling point for young defensive linemen who aspire to reach the NFL.
The timing couldn’t be better. Florida is in the thick of battles for several top-100 recruits, and the draft spotlight could tip the scales in their favor. Social media graphics from Florida’s official football account quickly highlighted the mock draft news, and current players have echoed the excitement, tweeting messages of support and motivation.
Comparisons to the Past: A Return to NFL Factory Status?
For much of the early 2000s and 2010s, Florida was considered an “NFL factory.” The likes of Joe Haden, Maurkice Pouncey, Janoris Jenkins, and Dante Fowler Jr. all entered the league as first-round picks. But the program’s recent struggles — marked by coaching instability and on-field inconsistency — had cooled that reputation.
Now, with Lagway and Collins emerging as first-round talents, the Gators may be recapturing that legacy. The last time Florida had two players selected in the first round was in 2015, when Dante Fowler Jr. and D.J. Humphries heard their names called early.
The goal for Napier and his staff is to make first-round picks a consistent reality again. With the SEC growing stronger and the expanded College Football Playoff increasing visibility, there’s never been a better time for Florida to reestablish itself as a premier NFL pipeline.
What Must Happen Next
For Lagway and Collins to realize their projected draft status, consistency and health will be critical. For Lagway, the focus is on refining decision-making, managing pressure, and continuing to improve his accuracy. NFL scouts are already raving about his raw tools, but now it’s about showing polish and maturity in leading a high-pressure SEC offense.
Collins, meanwhile, must build on his 2024 success and stay disruptive week in and week out. NFL teams will be watching closely to see how he fares against elite SEC offensive linemen, particularly in high-profile games against Georgia and Texas.
The Gators’ 2025 season schedule is daunting, with matchups against playoff hopefuls and traditional SEC powers. But that also means ample national exposure. Big-time performances in marquee games could elevate both players even further on draft boards — and potentially inspire other teammates to rise with them.
The Locker Room Effect
There’s also a ripple effect within Florida’s own locker room. Having two teammates projected as first-rounders raises the bar for everyone else. It provides a living example of what’s possible with discipline, work ethic, and attention to detail.
Younger players, especially in the 2024 and 2025 recruiting classes, now have in-house role models to emulate. It also fosters competition — a key ingredient in any championship-caliber program.
“I want to be next,” linebacker Shemar James said when asked about the mock draft. “Seeing DJ and Kelby getting that kind of love? It’s motivation. You want that spotlight too.”
Florida is Back in the First-Round Conversation
The Athletic’s 2026 NFL mock draft is still speculative, but its impact is already being felt in Gainesville. DJ Lagway and Kelby Collins represent more than just potential first-round picks — they embody the rebirth of Florida Gators football as a developmental powerhouse.
With a quarterback who could become a top-5 pick and a defensive end who brings relentless pressure and leadership, Florida is finally regaining its footing as a program that sends stars to the next level. For fans, coaches, recruits, and players alike, the message is clear: Florida football is on the rise — and the NFL is taking notice.
