Florida quarterback DJ Lagway just stepped into the NIL spotlight in a major way—alongside Patrick Mahomes and Rob Gronkowski. The true freshman was recently featured in T-Mobile’s newest commercial, making him one of the few college football players with NIL deals to land a campaign at this scale.

While NIL has created all kinds of new brand-athlete pairings, few have hit this kind of national stage. Lagway’s cameo with two NFL legends is more than a flash of exposure—it’s a calculated move by T-Mobile, blending future star power with current household names in a sharp athlete brand partnership.

Welcome to the Big Stage

Lagway’s scene is quick, but it’s impossible to miss. Surrounded by Mahomes and Gronk, he delivers his line with confidence, repping a T-Mobile jersey and a Gators lid. It’s a visual stamp of what NIL has become in 2025: prime-time moments, big-budget campaigns, and real crossover between college and pro-level talent.

The spot is part of T-Mobile’s ongoing effort to expand its footprint in sports and entertainment, and Lagway fits the script perfectly. His presence in the ad doesn’t just signal belief in his game—it signals belief in his brand.

Why They Chose Him

According to the Out2Win intelligence platform, DJ Lagway currently holds an Out2Win Score of 72, placing him firmly on the national radar of name image likeness college athletics.

He’s built a strong digital presence with 106.9K followers on Instagram, pulling in a healthy 4.08% engagement rate. His reels average nearly 97K views—proving that fans are already tuning in, even before he’s fully broken out on the field.

Lagway has also secured NIL deals with Launchpoint, EA Sports, and Morgan & Morgan Lawyers. His portfolio blends local Florida energy with national visibility, making him an attractive play for any company looking to tap into rising talent.

On the Field and in the Feed

Lagway’s freshman season in Gainesville showed glimpses of what’s to come. He threw for nearly 2,000 yards and 12 touchdowns, all while adjusting to the speed of the SEC. Now, as he heads into his sophomore campaign, the expectations—and attention—are both ramping up.

For a brand like T-Mobile, that matters. They’re not just chasing numbers—they’re betting on momentum. Lagway’s trajectory, both on the field and online, points toward growth. And that’s exactly the kind of profile NIL brands are lining up for.

The Impact of NIL in 2025

This latest move is yet another example of the impact of name image and likeness on college athletics. Lagway didn’t need to win a Heisman to land a national ad campaign. He needed charisma, upside, and a brand that resonated. And that’s where NIL has shifted the game.

These types of activations show how brands are getting smarter. The goal isn’t always to sign the most famous athlete—it’s to find the right one before the rest of the world catches up. Lagway’s T-Mobile deal is NIL operating at its most strategic: high visibility, high upside, and a storyline worth watching.

What’s Next for Lagway?

With his NIL presence growing and his sophomore season approaching, DJ Lagway is poised for a big fall. Whether it’s in a commercial with Mahomes or under the lights at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, expect his name to keep surfacing.

In a rapidly evolving NIL landscape, he’s proving that today’s breakout moment can start with a single line—and lead to much more.